President Bola Tinubu has announced a reshuffle in the hierarchy of the Nigerian Armed Forces, appointing General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), succeeding General Christopher Musa.

In the new appointments, Major-General W. Shaibu becomes the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke takes over as the Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas has been named the Chief of Naval Staff. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye, retains his position.

The changes were announced on Friday in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare. According to the statement, the decision reflects the Federal Government’s renewed efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.

“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses his profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” the statement read in part.

“The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by enhancing the professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

All appointments take immediate effect.

General Oluyede had assumed office as the Chief of Army Staff only last year, following the death of General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.

The outgoing Service Chiefs — General Musa, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar — have been in office since June 2023, overseeing several key operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed bandits in the North-East and North-West.

Although their tenure recorded significant successes, persistent attacks in various parts of the country have fuelled calls for a review of strategy and leadership within the armed forces.