Meet the New Service Chiefs Appointed by President Tinubu”

The Following are the news service chiefs appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Friday 24 October,2025

• Lieutenant General OO Oluyede : Chief Of Defense Staff
• Major General W Shuaibu : Chief of Army Staff
• Rear Admiral I Abbas : Chief Navy Staff
• Air Vice Marshall SK Aneke : Chief Air force Staff

However, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye, retained his position.

1. Lieutenant General OO Oluyede: Chief of Defence Staff

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, born in 1968 in Ikere, Ekiti State, is a seasoned Nigerian Army officer and member of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), where he began his career in 1987 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1992.

He rose to Major General in 2020 and previously served as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna State.

Oluyede has extensive operational experience, including commanding the 27 Task Force Brigade under Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast, participation in the ECOMOG mission in Liberia, and Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi.

He temporarily acted as Chief of Army Staff in late 2024 following the illness and subsequent passing of Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja (his NDA coursemate), before his Senate-confirmed elevation to Lieutenant General and appointment as CDS on October 24, 2025. A recipient of awards like the Chief of Army Staff Commendation and Corps Medal of Honour, he is married with three children.

2.Major General W Shuaibu: Chief of Army Staff

Major General Waidi Shuaibu (full name likely Waidi Shuaibu) is a distinguished Nigerian Army officer with frontline expertise in counterinsurgency operations. Prior to his appointment on October 24, 2025, he served as the 14th Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast, leading efforts against Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

Shuaibu succeeded Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede in the Army leadership chain and brings a track record of strategic command in high-threat environments, contributing to joint military operations against terrorism and banditry.

Details on his early career, including NDA course and commissioning date, remain limited in public records, but his selection underscores President Tinubu’s focus on battle-tested leaders for Nigeria’s security challenges. He is expected to prioritize troop welfare, operational efficiency, and inter-agency collaboration in his new role.

3. Rear Admiral I Abbas: Chief of Naval Staff

Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, a native of Tudun Maliki in Kano State, is an accomplished Nigerian Navy officer with over three decades of service focused on maritime security and operational leadership.

He previously served as Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command, Director of Operations at Naval Headquarters, and Chief of Naval Safety and Standards following a 2023 reshuffle.

Abbas has commanded key assets like the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory in 2020, coordinating anti-piracy patrols, anti-crude oil theft operations, and efforts against illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta. His career highlights include staff roles in hydrography, audit, and policy, earning him decorations such as the Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), and Grand Service Star (GSS).

Appointed CNS on October 24, 2025, succeeding Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Abbas holds a BSc in Mathematics (with Sword of Honour as the top naval cadet in his NDA 39th Regular Course, commissioned 1992) and is a member of professional bodies like the Nigerian Hydrographic Society and Nigerian Institute of Management.

4. Air Vice Marshal SK Aneke: Chief of Air Staff

Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, born on February 20, 1972, in Makurdi, Benue State (hailing from Udi LGA, Enugu State), is a veteran Nigerian Air Force pilot and administrator.

He joined the NDA as part of the 40th Regular Course on September 10, 1988, and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on September 10, 1993. Aneke has logged extensive flying hours on platforms like the ABT-18, DA42 MPP, DO 228, Citation II, and Hawker 4000, holding an Airline Transport Pilot License.

His career includes roles such as Fleet Training Officer and Wing Chief Operations at the Presidential Air Fleet in Abuja, Commander of the 307 Executive Air Lift Group, Deputy Director of Evaluation (Air) at NAF Headquarters, Director of Safety, and most recently, Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. Promoted to Air Vice Marshal in 2021, he attended courses in aeromechanical engineering and has served in training commands across Kaduna and Makurdi. Appointed CAS on October 24, 2025, succeeding Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Aneke is married to Mrs. Ngozi Enderline Aneke and has three sons; his hobbies include flying, music, and movies.