Abuja — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today dismissed several of Nigeria’s top security chiefs in a sweeping shake-up of the military leadership, signalling a new phase in the government’s response to mounting national-security challenges.
In a statement issued from the Presidency, Tinubu confirmed the appointment of General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing Christopher Musa. He also named Major-General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshall S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.
The changes, which took effect immediately, come amid a backdrop of rising violence across multiple regions of Nigeria, including Islamist insurgencies in the northeast, widespread banditry in the northwest and separatist unrest in the southeast.
“The President has approved a re-organisation of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen the national security architecture,” stated the presidential office. The new leadership is charged with delivering tangible improvements in operational effectiveness and strategic coordination.
Security analysts say the move reflects growing impatience within the government and among the public over persistent failures in combating insurgency, protecting farmland and securing supply-chains. One observer noted: “Replacing senior commanders is a strong signal that record is being taken and accountability is expected.”
However, the changes also raise questions about institutional continuity, morale among troops and the broader challenge of equipping the armed forces with the resources to match their mandate. Some veteran politicians have argued that leadership change alone cannot substitute for better funding, logistics and intelligence.
For President Tinubu, who has made security a headline issue of his tenure, the shake-up offers a moment to reset his strategy and re-assert control. Whether the newly appointed chiefs will succeed where their predecessors struggled remains a key question for the coming months.
