Service Chiefs

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has issued a firm directive to Nigeria’s newly appointed service chiefs, demanding an end to terrorism and banditry and warning that “Nigerians expect results, not excuses.”

The President gave the charge on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after decorating the top military brass with their new ranks.

He emphasized that the security crisis, which began in 2009, cannot be allowed to persist any longer.

“I charge you, as the heads of our nation’s armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal,” Tinubu stated.

He urged the chiefs to be “innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous,” and to deploy technology to stay ahead of threats.

A key concern highlighted by the President is the emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and some parts of the South.

“We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right at the head,” he declared.

While commending the military’s past sacrifices and successes, Tinubu tasked the service chiefs with ensuring synergy and providing exemplary leadership.

“Work with other security agencies and defeat this enemy once and for all. We need to clean them up, clear them out,” he said, promising full government support.

In his response, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, thanked the President for the appointment and assured him of their determination to keep the country safe.

He also called on all Nigerians to support the military’s efforts.The event was attended by the Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, several state governors, and other top government officials.

The service chiefs were accompanied by their spouses, whom they saluted in a gesture that drew applause from the audience.

By Anwar Usman

The president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, on Monday, met with the newly appointed service chiefs at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

In attendance were the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt-Gen Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen W. Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke, and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj-Gen E.A.P. Undiendeye.

Recall that Tinubu made sweeping changes in the military hierarchy on Friday, October 24, 2025.

According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, stated that “in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.”

According to Dare, the President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff.

The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.

The statement further revealed that, “the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, 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 urged the newly appointed service chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by further enhancing the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define Nigeria’s Armed Forces.