Oluyede, Shuaibu, Aneke, Abbas: Faces, Records and Mission of Tinubu’s New Service Chiefs
In what analysts describe as a bold recalibration of Nigeria’s military command structure, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the appointment of new Service Chiefs, signalling a renewed push to consolidate the nation’s security architecture and sustain ongoing counterinsurgency and anti-banditry operations across the country.
The announcement was made on Friday, October 24, 2025, through a State House statement issued by Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication.
Under the new appointments, General Olufemi Oluyede assumes command as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), succeeding General Christopher Musa. Major General Waidi Shuaibu takes charge as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), while Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke and Rear Admiral I. Abbas emerge as the new Chief of Air Staff (CAS) and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) respectively. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his post — a move interpreted as ensuring intelligence continuity within the Defence Headquarters.
President Tinubu, in the statement, commended the outgoing Service Chiefs for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” urging the new appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them by deepening professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship within the Armed Forces.
General Olufemi Oluyede — Chief of Defence Staff
Until his elevation, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede served as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), a position he assumed following the demise of his predecessor, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, earlier in 2025.
A battle-tested infantry officer and a respected strategic thinker, General Oluyede has been at the forefront of modernizing the Nigerian Army’s operational systems and fostering stronger synergy with sister services and regional forces.
He was commissioned into the Infantry Corps in 1989 as a member of the 40th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna. Over the years, he has held key positions including General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), and Director of Operations, Defence Headquarters.
Oluyede holds a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan and is a Fellow of the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja. His career is decorated with numerous medals and honours including the Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), and the Grand Service Star (GSS).
Renowned for his calm leadership and tactical brilliance, General Oluyede’s appointment as Chief of Defence Staff reflects President Tinubu’s confidence in his capacity to drive joint military operations with renewed precision, professionalism, and inter-agency
harmony.
Major General Waidi Shuaibu — Chief of Army Staff
A battle-hardened commander and tactical thinker, Major General Waidi Shuaibu has built a reputation as one of the Army’s most pragmatic field leaders.
Commissioned into the Infantry Corps in 1991 after completing NDA Regular Course 43, Shuaibu has served in multiple operational commands, notably as Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, and General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Lagos.
He has also held key staff roles, including Director of Training at Army Headquarters and Commander, Infantry Corps Centre and School (Jaji), where he oversaw the modernization of infantry tactics for asymmetric warfare.
Decorated with the Operation Lafiya Dole Medal, Pass Staff Course (PSC) badge, and multiple service honours (FSS, MSS, DSS), Shuaibu is described within military circles as a disciplined officer who “leads from the front.”
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His appointment comes at a time when the Army faces renewed challenges in the North-East and North-West theatres, where insurgents and bandits continue to test national resilience. His operational experience and emphasis on morale-driven leadership are seen as critical to sustaining the tempo of ongoing operations.
Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke — Chief of Air Staff
An aeronautical engineer and combat aviator, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke brings a blend of technical precision and strategic foresight to the Air Force leadership.
Commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in 1993 after completing NDA Regular Course 44, Aneke has flown numerous operational sorties and commanded several formations, including Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Tactical Air Command, Director of Operations, NAF Headquarters, and Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (AFRC), Lagos.
He holds postgraduate qualifications in Aviation Safety Management and Air Defence Operations from institutions in the United Kingdom and United States. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Star (DFS) and NAF Meritorious Service Medal.
Known within the force for his emphasis on drone technology and precision air campaigns, AVM Aneke’s appointment signals Tinubu’s commitment to leveraging air power in intelligence-driven operations and internal security support.
Rear Admiral I. Abbas — Chief of Naval Staff
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, born on 20 September 1969 in Nassarawa LGA, Kano State, is a seasoned naval officer and Above Water Warfare (AWW) specialist. He enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on 12 September 1987 and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 10 September 1993 as a member of the 40 Regular Course, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry.
He attended Gwagwarwa Primary School, Kano, and later Airforce Military School, Jos (1981–1986) before joining the NDA.
Abbas has attended several military courses, including the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at NNS QUORRA (1994), Junior and Senior Staff Courses at AFCSC Jaji, the Officers’ Long Course (AWW specialization) at NNS QUORRA (2003), and the National Defence College (Course 23) in 2014.
Throughout his illustrious career, Rear Admiral Abbas has held key appointments such as Naval Assistant to the Deputy Commandant, AFCSC Jaji, Commanding Officer Burma Battalion (NDA), Base Administrative Officer NNS PATHFINDER, Commander Task Group (NN Operation Tsare-Teku), and Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command (CNC).
Before his appointment, he served as Chief of Defence Civil Military Relations (CDCMR) at the Defence Headquarters, and most recently, as Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Heritage Centre.
Promoted to Rear Admiral in 2020, Abbas is a holder of several service medals including FSS, MSS, DSS, GSS, DGSM, and the prestigious Fellow Defence College (fdc). He is a member of both the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and the International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS).
A devout Muslim, Rear Admiral Abbas is married to Mrs. Aisha Abbas, and they are blessed with two sons. His hobbies include playing hockey and driving.
Abbas has been instrumental in leading several anti-crude oil theft and maritime policing operations in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea.
His leadership is expected to further strengthen the Navy’s role in securing the nation’s maritime assets and advancing the Blue Economy agenda championed by the Tinubu administration.
Defence observers believe the new appointments reflect a deliberate mix of continuity and innovation. By retaining Maj Gen Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence, the President preserves an intelligence backbone while infusing new field commanders into top military positions.
As the new Service Chiefs assume their offices, attention will shift to how swiftly they can translate policy directives into measurable battlefield outcomes. Their success will likely define the next chapter of Nigeria’s counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and maritime security strategy.
By PRNigeria
