President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, held a closed-door meeting with the newly appointed service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in what sources described as a strategic session to realign Nigeria’s defence priorities.
The new military heads — led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt-Gen Olufemi Oluyede — arrived at the forecourt of the Villa at about 4:00 p.m. in a black Mercedes van, accompanied by a green Toyota Land Cruiser.
Others in attendance included the Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen W. Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj-Gen E.A.P. Undiendeye.
Their visit comes barely three days after President Tinubu approved sweeping changes within the military hierarchy on Friday, October 24, 2025 — a move the Presidency described as part of broader efforts to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, the shake-up underscores the administration’s commitment to “enhancing operational effectiveness and deepening inter-agency collaboration across the armed services.”
Dare explained that Lt-Gen Oluyede succeeds Gen. Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff, while Maj-Gen Shaibu assumes command of the Nigerian Army. Air Vice Marshal Aneke now heads the Air Force, and Rear Admiral Abbas takes charge of the Navy. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj-Gen Undiendeye, retains his position.
“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses his profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other service chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” the statement read in part.
During the meeting, President Tinubu reportedly charged the new military leaders to “justify the confidence reposed in them by upholding professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the Armed Forces,” stressing that the security of lives and property remains his administration’s foremost priority.
