Tinubu Appoints General Oluyede as New Defence Chief
In a sweeping and decisive move to recalibrate Nigeria’s security strategy, President Bola Tinubu has terminated the appointments of the nation’s service chiefs and named General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
The overhaul, announced on Friday, sees the exit of General Christopher Musa as Defence Chief, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff. Their tenures, which began in June 2023, oversaw significant military operations against insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, as well as armed bandits in the nation’s north.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Public Communication, Sunday Dare.
The President did not stop at the top defence role. In a comprehensive reset of the military high command, he also appointed Major-General W. Shaibu as the new Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshall S.K. Aneke as the Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the Chief of Naval Staff. Notably, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye, retains his position.
The statement from the Presidency indicated that the dramatic change is in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.
President Tinubu expressed his 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. He then charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The statement confirmed that all appointments take immediate effect.
The new Chief of Defence Staff, General Oluyede, is a familiar figure in the upper echelons of the Army. He had only recently assumed the role of Chief of Army Staff last year following the death of his predecessor, Lt. Gen. T.O. Lagbaja.
This leadership change comes at a critical juncture. While the outgoing chiefs recorded notable successes in various theatres of operation, persistent attacks and kidnappings across the country have intensified public pressure and calls for a new approach to the nation’s enduring security challenges.
The new service chiefs are expected to take command immediately and are likely to usher in a fresh review of tactics and strategy in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against insecurity.