By Fatima Mukhtar
In a dramatic overhaul of Nigeria’s military hierarchy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate sack of the nation’s service chiefs — a move expected to trigger the retirement of more than 50 senior generals across the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The decision, announced through the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, marks one of the most far-reaching reforms since Tinubu assumed office, signaling his determination to reinvigorate the nation’s security leadership.
Under the new arrangement, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has been appointed Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Gwabin Musa. Major General W. Shaibu takes charge as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke becomes Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas assumes duties as Chief of Naval Staff. Major General E. A. P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Military insiders revealed that the reshuffle will prompt a wave of retirements among officers senior to the newly appointed service chiefs, particularly those from the 39th and 40th Regular Courses of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). Over 50 generals are projected to either voluntarily or compulsorily exit service in line with military tradition.
Sources further hinted that the total number of affected officers could exceed 60, as the shake-up cuts across command structures in the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The sweeping changes come just weeks after unconfirmed reports of a suspected coup plot involving some senior officers — though the Presidency has not officially linked the overhaul to that development.
Security analysts say the move is designed to inject new momentum into Nigeria’s defence architecture, strengthen loyalty within the ranks, and sharpen the military’s capacity to confront persistent security threats nationwide.
With immediate effect, all outgoing service chiefs have been directed to hand over to their successors — a decisive step that underscores President Tinubu’s resolve to restore discipline, efficiency, and public confidence in the Armed Forces.
This marks one of the boldest and most consequential defence shake-ups of the Tinubu administration to date.
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