Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu speaks during a joint press statement with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (not pictured), at the Planalto Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, August 25, 2025. REUTERS/Adriano Machado
LAGOS (Reuters) -Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has appointed new service chiefs in a sweeping overhaul of the country's military leadership, the presidency said on Friday, as part of efforts to strengthen national security.
The reshuffle comes amid persistent security challenges across Nigeria, including Islamist insurgencies in the northeast, armed banditry in the northwest, and separatist unrest in the southeast.
General Olufemi Oluyede was named Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa, who was appointed just over two years ago after Tinubu came into office.
Major-General W. Shaibu was appointed Chief of Army Staff, while Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke and Rear Admiral I. Abbas were named Chiefs of Air and Naval Staff, respectively.
Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retained his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
"All appointments take immediate effect," the presidency said in a statement.
(Reporting by Benjamin EzeamaluWriting by Chijioke Ohuocha, Editing by MacDonald Dzirutwe and Crispian Balmer)
