Tinubu sacks service chiefs in major military reshuffle, appoints Olufemi Oluyede as new Chief of Defence Staff

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has carried out a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria’s military leadership, sacking top service chiefs including General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, in what sources describe as a strategic bid to reinvigorate the country’s ongoing security operations.

The announcement, made on October 24, 2025, marks one of the most significant defense reshuffles since Tinubu took office, as Nigeria continues to battle Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, and separatist unrest.

According to verified reports from Vanguard, Punch, and The Nation, the President approved the appointment of General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General W. Shaibu as the Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as the Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the Chief of Naval Staff.

The reshuffle also saw Major-General E.A.P. Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence, signaling Tinubu’s confidence in his intelligence coordination efforts.

The accompanying image, widely circulated online, shows President Tinubu flanked by the new appointees in full military uniform — a visual reinforcement of authority and continuity at a time of growing public anxiety over insecurity across the country.

General Musa’s removal comes after two years at the helm of Nigeria’s defense command, during which he oversaw intensified operations against insurgent groups in the North East and counter-banditry campaigns in the North West. Despite some operational successes, critics have faulted the military for persistent attacks on civilians, limited intelligence coordination, and slow response times in crisis-prone regions.

Government insiders describe the reshuffle as part of Tinubu’s “second-phase national security doctrine,” aimed at modernizing military strategy, improving inter-service collaboration, and enhancing civil-military relations. The new defense leadership, all seasoned officers with reputations for field experience, are expected to spearhead a renewed offensive against terrorism and organized crime.

Public reactions have been mixed. Supporters praise the move as a “timely reset,” arguing that fresh leadership could restore morale and deliver sharper results on the battlefield. However, critics on social media warn that without structural reforms, new appointments alone may not fix deep-rooted issues such as low troop welfare, corruption in procurement, and overstretched resources.

As Tinubu’s administration faces mounting pressure to secure Nigeria’s territories and restore investor confidence, the military shake-up underscores a defining message: national security will be the yardstick by which his presidency is judged.

— Busterblog.com