The announcement was made on Friday, with a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga said the decision was taken to reinforce national security structures and enhance the performance of the military.
According to him, “President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.”
General Olufemi Oluyede has replaced General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff, making Musa the first top military officer to be relieved under this reshuffle.
Major-General W. Shaibu has been named the new Chief of Army Staff, while Air Vice Marshall S. K. Aneke now leads the Air Force.
Rear Admiral I. Abbas has taken over as Chief of Naval Staff.
Onanuga confirmed that Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye will remain as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Tinubu also urged the newly appointed officers to prove themselves worthy of their roles and to promote discipline, professionalism and unity within the armed forces.
Onanuga quoted him as saying the new chiefs must “justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
All appointments, according to the statement, take immediate effect.
This change in military leadership follows reports that the Defence Headquarters recently detained 16 senior officers over alleged misconduct and violation of service rules.
Those arrests fuelled speculation of discontent and possible coup plotting within the military, an issue the government has neither openly confirmed nor denied.
The timing of the restructuring has sparked discussion among political analysts, who argue that Bola Tinubu is working to secure loyalty within the armed forces amid worsening insecurity and public distrust of his administration.
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