President Bola Tinubu on Thursday officially decorated Nigeria’s newly appointed service chiefs with their new ranks, marking the formal commencement of their leadership across the nation’s military services.

The decoration ceremony, held at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, followed the National Assembly’s confirmation of the officers on Wednesday — an event symbolising a new chapter in Nigeria’s defence and security architecture.

Meet Nigeria’s New Service Chiefs

The new service chiefs include:

• General Olufemi Oluyede – Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
• Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu – Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
• Vice Admiral Idi Abbas – Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)
• Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke – Chief of Air Staff (CAS)

Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye also retained his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

During the ceremony, President Tinubu personally decorated General Oluyede with his four-star insignia, while Lieutenant General Shaibu, Vice Admiral Abbas, and Air Marshal Aneke received their respective symbols of rank. The President was assisted by the officers’ spouses, signifying family support as a cornerstone of military service.

Dignitaries and National Leaders Attend

The event drew several top dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila.

Others in attendance were the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru; and Minister of Information Mohammed Idris. Also present were Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Inspector General of Police, and heads of the DSS, NIA, EFCC, and NIMC.

For background on Tinubu’s earlier appointments in the military, read Tinubu Names New Service Chiefs Amid Major Shake-Up in Armed Forces on Akahi News.

New Chiefs Assume Duty, Set Security Agenda

Shortly after the ceremony, General Oluyede and the other service chiefs formally assumed duty at their respective headquarters, pledging to consolidate gains made by their predecessors and intensify operations against terrorism, banditry, and criminality nationwide.

In his address during the handover, General Oluyede assured Nigerians that his leadership would prioritise accountability, discipline, welfare, loyalty, and professionalism across all service formations.

“Our focus will be on a renewed and aggressive approach to defeating insurgency and restoring peace in all troubled regions,” Oluyede said.

To read about Vice Admiral Idi Abbas’s vow to tackle oil theft and maritime crimes, visit New Naval Chief Vows to End Crude Oil Theft, Strengthen Maritime Security.

Continuity and Loyalty in the Armed Forces

In his farewell remarks, the outgoing CDS, General Christopher Musa, urged military personnel to give full cooperation to the new leadership, stressing that unity and discipline remain the cornerstone of the Armed Forces’ success.

His comments echo sentiments expressed by analysts who believe that Tinubu’s security reshuffle represents a strategic effort to reinvigorate Nigeria’s counter-insurgency drive and restore public confidence in the nation’s defence apparatus.

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A New Dawn for Nigeria’s Security Architecture

The new service chiefs’ appointments and decorations mark a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s military, especially amid complex challenges like terrorism, oil theft, cyber threats, and transnational crimes.

Observers believe the coming months will test the strategic alignment of the military hierarchy under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda — a vision anchored on peace, stability, and economic recovery.

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