President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated a significant shake-up within Nigeria's security hierarchy, appointing new Service Chiefs to bolster the nation's defence capabilities and enhance coordination among the Armed Forces. The changes, announced on Friday, saw General Olufemi Oluyede step in as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa. Other key appointments include Major-General Waidi Shaibu as the Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshall Sunday Kelvin Aneke as the Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as the Chief of Naval Staff. Notably, Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retained his position as the Chief of Defence Intelligence.

This reshuffle is anticipated to trigger a substantial round of retirements within the military, with no fewer than 60 Generals expected to exit the force. This tradition ensures discipline, hierarchy, and a clear command structure, as officers senior to the newly appointed Service Chiefs will step down. Military sources confirmed that these changes are designed to inject fresh energy into ongoing operations and pave the way for a new generation of commanders, though some political observers link the timing to recent unconfirmed reports of an alleged coup plot.

The newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, brings extensive experience to his role. Born on June 21, 1968, in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, he is an alumnus of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna (39 Regular Course), holding Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Economics. He has commanded crucial formations and served in major operational theatres, including ECOMOG, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, and Operation HADIN KAI, accumulating numerous honours for his exemplary leadership and professionalism. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Chief of Army Staff and the 56th Commander of the Nigerian Army’s elite Infantry Corps, rising steadily through the ranks since his commission in 1992.

Major-General Waidi Shaibu, the new Chief of Army Staff, was born on December 18, 1971, in Olamaboro LGA, Kogi State, and is a member of the 41st Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and multiple Master’s Degrees, with a PhD in view. His distinguished career includes serving as Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, where he recorded successes against insurgents. He is recognized for his intellectual depth, operational excellence, and transformational leadership, having received multiple honours including the Distinguished Service Star (DSS).

Air Vice Marshall Sunday Kelvin Aneke, appointed Chief of Air Staff, was born on February 20, 1972, in Makurdi, Benue State, hailing from Udi LGA, Enugu State. A member of the 40th Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, he was commissioned in 1993. He possesses a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics, multiple Master’s Degrees in Diplomacy, Political Economy, and Strategic Studies, and is pursuing a PhD. A type-rated pilot with over 4,300 flying hours, his operational experience spans Congo and Nigeria’s Niger Delta. He previously served as Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, and is noted for his professionalism and strategic leadership.

Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, the new Chief of Naval Staff, was born on September 20, 1969, and hails from Nassarawa LGA of Kano State. Enlisting into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 (40 Regular Course), he was commissioned in 1993 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. An Above Water Warfare specialist, Rear Admiral Abbas has held numerous key appointments, including Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, where he played a vital role in combating oil theft and maritime piracy. He has attended several military courses both at home and abroad, rising through all ranks in the Nigerian Navy.

Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye, who remains the Chief of Defence Intelligence, was born on September 2, 1968, in Obudu LGA, Cross River State. A graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, UK, he holds a BA (Hons) in History and a Master’s in Strategic Security Studies. His career includes serving as Chief of Staff, Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps, and Commandant, Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, with international postings with the United Nations. He is highly regarded for his strategic intelligence leadership.

Reactions to these appointments have been mixed. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) expressed concern, linking the "sudden and abrupt change" to the "rumoured coup plot" and urging the government for a transparent explanation, questioning the stability implications of such swift changes. Conversely, former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani described the shake-up as a "necessary step" for combating insecurity, emphasizing the importance of periodic leadership rotations for improved results. Social media sentiments also varied, with some questioning the sincerity of the government’s stated reasons and others commending the President for a strategic move to strengthen national security.

President Tinubu’s administration asserts that these changes are in furtherance of efforts to strengthen the national security architecture and improve coordination across the Armed Forces. The President expressed profound appreciation to the outgoing Service Chiefs for their patriotic service and charged the new appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them by enhancing professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship within the Nigerian Armed Forces.