President Bola Tinubu has dismissed the nation’s service chiefs and appointed new military leadership in a significant security reshuffle. The announcement was made in a press release dated October 24, 2025, signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare.
According to the statement, the move is “in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.”
The new appointees are General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa; Major-General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff; Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke as Chief of Air Staff; and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye, retains his position.
The President’s statement expressed “most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service, and dedicated leadership.”
It also charged the new appointees “to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.” All appointments take immediate effect.
The leadership change follows recent media reports of a suspected coup plot. While the military high command had previously stated that recent officer detentions were related to “repeated failure in promotion examinations and perceived career stagnation,” security analysts view President Tinubu’s latest action as a direct response to the heightened security concerns.
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