By Abdul Lauya
President Bola Tinubu has dismissed Nigeria’s Service Chiefs in a sweeping military reshuffle that comes amid heightened anxiety over recent coup rumours across the country.
In a statement issued Friday, October 24, 2025, by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, the President announced the immediate appointment of new heads of the Armed Forces.
General Olufemi Oluyede was named Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa, who has led the military since 2023.
Major-General W. Shaibu is the new Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke takes over as Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas becomes the Chief of Naval Staff.
Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence, signaling a measure of continuity in the intelligence command.
The President expressed deep appreciation to the outgoing chiefs for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” urging their successors to “justify the confidence reposed in them” by demonstrating professionalism, vigilance, and unity.
The statement stressed that all appointments take immediate effect, underscoring the urgency and sensitivity surrounding the reshuffle.
The development follows weeks of speculation about unease within the military after the Defence Headquarters publicly dismissed reports of a coup plot, describing them as baseless and mischievous.
Although the military high command moved swiftly to reassure the public of its loyalty to constitutional authority, the timing of Tinubu’s action suggests an effort to reassert control and stabilize the chain of command.
Security observers say the changes may not be unconnected with growing concerns about morale, internal cohesion, and the political climate in the aftermath of the coup scare.
Analysts believe that the choice of General Oluyede, a seasoned field commander with strong operational credentials, reflects Tinubu’s preference for a tested and loyal hand to steer the Defence Headquarters through turbulent times.
The reshuffle also signals a broader recalibration of Nigeria’s security leadership as the administration seeks to reinforce public confidence and strengthen civilian oversight of the military.
However, the suddenness of the move has stirred mixed reactions among defence watchers, with some viewing it as a strategic necessity while others interpret it as a precautionary purge.
For now, the nation’s attention turns to the new Service Chiefs, whose performance in the coming months will determine whether this shake-up delivers stability or merely deepens uncertainty within Nigeria’s security establishment.
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