News

Shake-Up in Military As Tinubu Replaces Service Chiefs, Names Gen. Oluyede New CDS

Shake-Up in Military As Tinubu Replaces Service Chiefs, Names Gen. Oluyede New CDS
  • PublishedOctober 24, 2025

In a decisive move aimed at strengthening national security architecture, President Bola Tinubu has approved major changes in the leadership of the Armed Forces, appointing new Service Chiefs. 

‎According to a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, the President named former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that this is coming a week after the media was awash with stories of a planned coup plot.

The plot, reportedly led to the arrest of 16 senior military officers, who were said to be detained, with allegations of their involvement in the purported coup.

‎Major-General W. Shaibu has been appointed Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke takes over as Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff.

‎The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his position.

‎All appointments, the statement said, take immediate effect.

‎”President Tinubu, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expressed deep appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa, and other retired Service Chiefs for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership” during their tenure.

‎He charged the newly appointed military heads to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating “enhanced professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship” in the discharge of their duties.

‎The shake-up in the military hierarchy comes as part of ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration to reposition the security sector, improve coordination among the services, and sustain momentum in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other security challenges across the country.