President Bola Tinubu on Friday sacked the Nigerian service chiefs to strengthen defence and internal security framework.
This was announced in a statement on Friday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.
Gen. Olufemi Oluyede has been appointed as Chief of Defence Staff, replacing Gen. Christopher Musa.
Maj.-Gen. W. Shaibu is now Chief of Army Staff, while Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke becomes Chief of Air Staff.
Rear Admiral I. Abbas assumes office as Chief of Naval
Rear Admiral I. Abbas assumes office as Chief of Naval Staff.
25th Chief of Army Staff: Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu
Following the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu as the 25th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) by President Bola Tinubu on Friday, a new defining phase has emerged in the history of the Nigerian Army.
The new COAS succeeds Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, who has been elevated to the position of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Shaibu’s appointment marks what many observers describe as a defining phase in the continued transformation of the Nigerian Army towards enhanced operational readiness, professionalism, and a renewed commitment to the defence of national sovereignty.
Born on Dec. 18, 1971, in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi, Shaibu was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 41 Regular Course in 1989.
He was commissioned into the Armoured Corps on Sept. 17, 1994. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the NDA, Kaduna.
The new Army Chief also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
He also holds three Master’s degrees in Public Administration from University of Calabar, Strategic Studies from University of Ibadan, and Security and Strategic Studies from National Defence University, Washington D.C.
Shaibu is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the National Productivity Centre’s Senior Executive Programme in Applied Leadership and Strategy.
Throughout his career, he attended several professional and leadership courses, including the Young Officers Courses (Armour and Infantry), Company Amphibious Operations, Junior and Senior Staff Courses, Battalion Commanders Course, and the Higher Defence Management Course at the National Defence College, Abuja.
He also participated in the Defence Resources Management Course in Kenya and the Counter-Terrorism Fellows Programme at the National Defence University, Washington D.C.
Shaibu has held several strategic, command and instructional appointments, including General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1, Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri; Brigade Commander, 21 Special Armoured Brigade, Bama; and Chief of Training, Army Headquarters.
Other appointments include Director, Coordination, National Defence College; Principal Staff Officer (Army), Defence Headquarters; Chief Instructor, Nigerian Army Armour School; Assistant Director, Peacekeeping Operations, Defence Headquarters; Commanding Officer, 243 Battalion, Monguno; and Chief of Staff, 23 Brigade, Yola.
He also served as Military Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of Liberia, and Military Observer with the African Mission in Sudan.
His operational record covers major military engagements, including Operations HARMONY, BOYONA, ZAMAN LAFIYA, LAFIYA DOLE, TURA TAKAIBANGO, HADIN KAI, DESERT SANITY, and LAKE SANITY.
Internationally, Shaibu represented Nigeria in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and the African Mission in Sudan (AMIS), as well as in Nigeria’s Foreign Training Assistance Mission to Liberia.
In recognition of his distinguished service, the new Army Chief has received several awards and decorations, including the Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), Command Medal, Field Command Medal, Distinguished Service Order (Liberia), Pass Staff College (psc), Fellow Defence College (fdc), Foreign Assistance Training Medal, and the Purple Heart Medal for gallantry in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
A family man, Shaibu is married to Hajia Safiyyah Hassan, and they are blessed with two children, Haneef and Hafeeza.
As he assumes command as the 25th Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Shaibu is expected to bring renewed vigour, strategic foresight, and operational audacity to the Army’s transformation efforts.
Observers say his leadership will likely consolidate ongoing reforms, strengthen joint operations, enhance intelligence-led warfare, and promote innovation in defence technology, logistics, and personnel development.
25th Chief of Naval Staff: Rear Admiral Idi Abbas
Rear Adm. Idi Abbas is the 25th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), and he brings a wealth of experience, discipline, and professionalism to the leadership of the Nigerian Navy.
A seasoned Above Water Warfare specialist, Rear Adm. Abbas has spent more than three decades in service to the nation, distinguished by dedication to duty and a passion for maritime security.
Born on Sept. 20, 1969, Abbas hails from Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
He began his educational journey at Gwagwarwa Primary School, Kano, and later attended the Air Force Military School, Jos, from 1981 to 1986.
In 1987, he gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 40 Regular Course and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 10 September 1993 with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry.
A well-trained officer, Abbas has attended several military courses at home and abroad.
These include the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course and Officers’ Long Course in Above Water Warfare at NNS QUORRA, as well as the Junior and Senior Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.
He also attended the United Nations Military Observer Course in Tanzania in 2009 and is a graduate of the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja, Course 23.
Over the years, the new Naval Chief has held several command and staff appointments. He has served onboard various Nigerian Navy ships, including NNS ARADU, NNS DAMISA, and NNS AYAM, as a Watch-Keeping Officer.
He was also Naval Assistant to the Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and later served as Commanding Officer, Burma Battalion, NDA.
His other notable appointments include Base Administrative Officer, NNS PATHFINDER; Maritime Guard Commander, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Commander, Task Group Operation TSARE TEKU; and Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command.
He also served as Chief of Naval Safety and Standards, Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations at Defence Headquarters, and Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Heritage Centre before his elevation to the position of Chief of Naval Staff.
Rear Adm. Abbas has risen steadily through the ranks from Midshipman in 1996 to Rear Admiral on Sept. 10 2020.
His career has been decorated with several honours, including the Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), Grand Service Star (GSS), and the Defence General Staff Medal (DGSM).
He is a Fellow of the Defence College (fdc) and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and the International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS).
A calm, focused, and result-oriented officer, Abbas is widely respected for his professionalism and strategic leadership.
Outside the uniform, he enjoys playing hockey and driving. He is married to Mrs Aisha Abbas, and they are blessed with two sons.
The new naval chief is expected to bring renewed drive and operational focus to the Nigerian Navy as it continues its mandate of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and contributing to national security.
23rd Chief of Air Staff: AVM Sunday Aneke
The appointment of AVM Sunday Aneke as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) marks a new chapter in the history of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
This appointment, as announced by President Bola Tinubu on Friday, is defined by intellectual depth, operational precision and renewed commitment to national security.
According to his citation released by the NAF on Friday, the new CAS was born on Feb. 20, 1972, in Makurdi, Benue, and hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
He began his education at Army Children School, New Cantonment ‘A’, Kaduna (1976–1982) and later attended Government College, Kaduna (1982–1987). His early training laid the foundation for a disciplined and purpose-driven life that would later define his military career.
Aneke was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 40th Regular Combatant Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on Sept. 10, 1993.
An accomplished scholar, the new Air Chief holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the University of Calabar, and two Master’s degrees — one in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and another in Political Economy and Development Studies from the University of Abuja.
He also holds a professional certificate in Aviation Safety Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, USA, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Aneke attended several military courses, including the Junior and Senior Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and the United States Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where he obtained a Master’s in Strategic Studies.
His wide-ranging appointments include Director of Policy, Director of Safety, Deputy Director of Operations at NAF Headquarters, Command Operations Officer at Tactical Air Command, and Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Until his appointment as CAS, he served as Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Yenagoa, where he strengthened air mobility operations, enhanced joint force integration, and improved NAF’s strategic responsiveness in multi-domain operations.
An accomplished pilot with over 4,359 flying hours, AVM Aneke is type-rated on several aircraft including the Air Beetle 18, Dornier 228, Citation 500, Falcon 900, Gulfstream V, Gulfstream 550, and Hawker 4000.
His operational experience includes participation in Operation Restore Hope in the Niger Delta and United Nations peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), where he served as Chief of Air Operations in the Kindu Region.
He has contributed significantly to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations that have improved the Nigerian Air Force’s counter-insurgency capabilities across multiple fronts.
Aneke is decorated with numerous medals and honours including GSS, DSS, GSM, FCM, Psc, MSc, MIAD, MPEDS and USAFWC. He is widely regarded as a refined officer and visionary leader known for his calm disposition, intellectual depth and strategic foresight.
As he assumes command as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff, AVM Aneke is expected to bring his vast operational experience and academic grounding to bear in enhancing airpower projection, strengthening intelligence-led operations and driving innovation in defence technology and capacity development.
Aneke is married to Mrs Ngozi Enderline Aneke and they are blessed with three sons — Chukwuebuka Kelvin, Ifeanyichukwu Brian and Uchechukwu Jason.
He is known for his humility, professionalism and devotion to service, qualities that align with the Nigerian Air Force’s core values of discipline, courage and excellence.
