President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major shake-up in the military hierarchy, relieving the nation’s service chiefs of their duties and appointing new officers to lead the Armed Forces.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, the President said the move was part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.
The newly appointed service chiefs include:
General Olufemi Oluyede – Chief of Defence Staff (replacing General Christopher Musa), Major-General W. Shaibu – Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke – Chief of Air Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abbas – Chief of Naval Staff, The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his position.
The changes are expected to trigger a wave of retirements within the upper ranks of the Armed Forces. By long-standing military tradition, senior officers who are course mates or seniors to the newly appointed service chiefs are required to proceed on retirement.
Reports indicate that the new chiefs are from Course 40 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), taking over from predecessors in Course 39, including General Oluyede.
Under military convention, officers cannot serve under their juniors, meaning several generals from Courses 39 and 40 may retire to make room for the new leadership.
According to Leadership Weekend, members of Course 39 currently occupy key positions such as Principal Staff Officers at Service Headquarters and Commanders of tri-service institutions.
Military sources quoted by the newspaper suggest that over 50 senior officers may voluntarily exit service following the latest appointments.
