Over 50 Generals To Retire As Tinubu Sacks Service Chiefs

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday carried out a major shake-up in the military hierarchy, dismissing the service chiefs and appointing new officers to take their place.

A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the action was part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.

The President named former Army Chief, General Olufemi Oluyede, as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.

Others appointed are:

Major-General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff

Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff

Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff

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

It is understood that the development is expected to spark mass retirements within the military hierarchy. By tradition, senior officers who are contemporaries of the outgoing service chiefs are likely to proceed on retirement.

The newly appointed service chiefs are from Course 40 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), replacing their predecessors from Course 39, including General Oluyede.

Under military convention, officers from senior courses cannot serve under their juniors. This means generals from Course 39 and some from Course 40 will have to retire to pave the way for the new leadership.

According to Leadership Weekend, members of Course 39 still occupy key roles such as Principal Staff Officers at Service Headquarters and Commanders of tri-service institutes.

Military sources who spoke with the platform disclosed that more than 50 senior officers are likely to voluntarily leave service following the appointments.