Tinubu Decorates Newly Appointed Service Chiefs, Reaffirms Commitment to National Security

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decorated the newly appointed Service Chiefs with their new ranks at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, reiterating his administration’s determination to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture amid ongoing threats across the country.

The new military chiefs and their ranks are as follows:

Chief of Defence Staff: General Olufemi Oluyede

Chief of Army Staff: Lieutenant General Wahidi Shaibu

Chief of Naval Staff: Vice Admiral Idi Abbas

Chief of Air Staff: Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke

Chief of Defence Intelligence: Lieutenant General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiendeye

Their decoration follows Wednesday’s confirmation by the Senate, marking another phase in the President’s efforts to restructure military leadership and enhance operational effectiveness.

President Tinubu, while congratulating the new service chiefs, commended the outgoing military leaders for their service to the nation. He urged the new commanders to demonstrate professionalism, deepen inter-agency collaboration, and remain steadfast in defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

“The refreshed leadership of our Armed Forces provides a renewed opportunity to refine operational strategies, strengthen synergy, and rebuild public confidence in our military institutions,” Tinubu said. He added that his administration expects tangible improvements in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, particularly in areas plagued by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and banditry.

During his Senate screening, General Oluyede pledged to adopt a “multi-domain, multi-agency” strategy to counter threats across land, air, sea, and cyberspace. He identified key priorities, including improved night-fighting capabilities, advanced special forces training, and enhanced intelligence integration.

Oluyede also emphasised the importance of troop welfare, describing it as essential for sustaining morale and ensuring effective performance in difficult operational zones.

Similarly, Air Marshal Aneke reaffirmed his commitment to building a disciplined and responsive Air Force capable of neutralising insurgent networks by disrupting their planning and mobility.

The Service Chiefs collectively vowed to strengthen unity, discipline, and operational synergy across the Armed Forces, pledging to restore public trust in Nigeria’s security institutions. They also emphasised closer cooperation with the Police to improve internal security, allowing the military to focus on external defence and major counterterrorism operations.

Security experts have described the reshuffle as a timely strategic reset aimed at confronting Nigeria’s complex and evolving security challenges. Analysts say the new leadership’s focus on modernisation, intelligence sharing, and regional cooperation could help reposition the Armed Forces for greater efficiency.

With the new appointments, the Tinubu administration hopes to reinvigorate Nigeria’s military strategy, anchored on refined doctrine, improved coordination, and enhanced morale, to deliver meaningful gains in national security.