President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday announced sweeping changes in Nigeria’s military high command, sacking the service chiefs and naming their replacements.
A statement from his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the move is part of efforts to strengthen the country’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
Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, retained his position.
The development is expected to trigger mass retirements within the military hierarchy. By tradition, senior officers who served alongside the outgoing chiefs are likely to step down.
The new chiefs are from Course 40 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), replacing predecessors from Course 39, including General Oluyede. Military convention prohibits senior officers from serving under juniors, meaning many generals from Course 39 and some from Course 40 will have to retire to make way for the new leadership.
Leadership Weekend reports that members of Course 39 still hold key roles, such as Principal Staff Officers at Service Headquarters and Commanders of tri-service institutes. Military sources indicate that more than 50 senior officers are likely to voluntarily leave service following the appointments.
