Tinubu Replaces CDS Musa with Oluyede and Installs New Service Chiefs

President Bola Tinubu has announced a major overhaul of Nigeria’s military command, making immediate changes to the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in a strategic move aimed at reinforcing the nation’s security architecture. The comprehensive changes were confirmed in a statement released by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, on Friday in Abuja.

Dependable NG reports that the most significant appointment sees General Olufemi Oluyede named as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), taking over from General Christopher Musa. General Oluyede, who had previously served as the Chief of Army Staff since October 2024, is now tasked with coordinating the operations of all the armed forces.

The shake-up extends across all service branches with the appointment of new principal officers:

Chief of Army Staff: Major-General W. Shaibu is the new Army Chief, succeeding Oluyede.

Chief of Air Staff: Air Vice Marshal S.K Aneke has been appointed as the new Air Chief.

Chief of Naval Staff: Rear Admiral I. Abbas assumes the role of the new Naval Chief.

However, the leadership of the nation’s intelligence coordination remains unchanged, as Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position as the Chief of Defence Intelligence.

President Tinubu offered his sincere appreciation to the outgoing Service Chiefs for their ‘patriotic service and dedicated leadership.’ He then charged the newly appointed military leaders to uphold the high standards of professionalism, vigilance, and unity that are crucial to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and to fully justify the immense confidence placed in them by the government and the nation. The statement affirmed that all the new appointments took immediate effect.