President Bola Tinubu has approved major changes in Nigeria’s military leadership, appointing new Service Chiefs in what the Presidency described as part of efforts to “strengthen the national security architecture.”
According to a State House press release issued on Friday and signed by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Public Communication, the President named General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.
Major-General W. Shaibu was announced as the new Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the Chief of Naval Staff. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his position.
“President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.” The statement reads.
The President, according to the release, “expresses 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.”
Tinubu also charged the newly appointed Service Chiefs “to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
The statement added that “all appointments take immediate effect.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri