President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the removal of General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), marking another major shake-up in Nigeria’s military leadership.

The decision was confirmed in a statement on Friday by Sunday Dare, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication. According to the statement, General Olufemi Oluyede has been appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff, taking over from Musa, who has served in the role since 2023.

Other key appointments include Major-General W. Shaibu as the new Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, will retain his position.

President Tinubu, who doubles as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expressed deep appreciation to the outgoing Service Chiefs for their dedication and patriotic service, particularly General Musa, who led the Defence Headquarters through a crucial period in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.

“The President expresses his most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” the statement read.

Explaining the reason for the changes, the President noted that the reshuffle was aimed at injecting renewed energy and strategic direction into the armed forces amid evolving security challenges across the country.

Tinubu urged the newly appointed Service Chiefs to demonstrate professionalism, vigilance, and unity in carrying out their duties and in defending the sovereignty of Nigeria.

“The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the statement added.

The Presidency confirmed that all the new appointments take immediate effect, officially initiating a new phase in Nigeria’s military command structure.

General Musa’s removal comes just over two years after his appointment in June 2023, during President Tinubu’s first major military reshuffle. The current changes mark the President’s second major reorganisation, signalling his administration’s continued efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s defence framework in response to the country’s dynamic security landscape.