President Bola Tinubu on Monday met with Nigeria’s newly appointed Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following recent changes in the nation’s military leadership aimed at reinforcing the country’s security architecture.
The Service Chiefs, dressed in full green camouflage, arrived at Aso Rock around 4:00 p.m. in a black Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, accompanied by a green Toyota Land Cruiser. They were received by presidential security aides and ushered into the building for a closed-door session with the President.
The meeting, which lasted approximately 40 minutes, ended at about 4:40 p.m., with the officers departing in the same convoy.
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.
President Tinubu had on Friday, October 24, 2025, announced a major shake-up in the Armed Forces, replacing several top military officers as part of efforts to “strengthen the national security architecture.” The announcement was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.
Under the new appointments, General Olufemi Oluyede succeeded General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General W. Shaibu was named Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke took over as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas became Chief of Naval Staff. Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retained his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
In his remarks, President Tinubu expressed deep appreciation to the outgoing service chiefs for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership.” He urged the new military leaders to justify the confidence reposed in them by promoting professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the Armed Forces.
“The security of our nation rests on your shoulders,” Tinubu said. “You must sustain the values of discipline, commitment, and teamwork that define our Armed Forces and ensure the safety of every Nigerian.”
