The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a major reshuffle in the Nigerian Army, affecting 2,313 officers across various formations and units nationwide.
The development was contained in a restricted signal dated December 31, 2025, and signed by the Military Secretary (Army), Major General E. I. Okoro, according to an exclusive report by the Nigerian Tribune.
The signal directed that ...ings and appointments take immediate effect. However, subsequent amendments and deletions affected 98 officers, bringing the final number of affected personnel to 2,215.
The shake-up includes the redeployment of 37 Major Generals, with significant changes at the level of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) in key divisions.
Among the senior postings, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, formerly GOC of 81 Division, has been redeployed to the Army Headquarters, Department of Army Policy and Plans (DAPP), where he will serve as Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP).
Similarly, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, erstwhile GOC of 8 Division, Sokoto, has been appointed Deputy Chief of Operations (Army) at the Army Headquarters.
New GOCs have also been appointed. Major General B. P. Koughna has been named GOC, 8 Division, in addition to serving as Commander, Sector 2, Joint Task Force (JTF), North-West. Meanwhile, Major General A. A. Babalola has been redeployed from the Defence Headquarters, DAPP, to assume duty as GOC, 81 Division, Lagos.
...ings further affected 187 Brigadier Generals, 189 Colonels, 235 Lieutenant Colonels, 856 Majors, 384 Captains, 318 Lieutenants, and three Second Lieutenants.
According to the signal, all affected officers are required to report to their new postings on the dates specified against their names. Failure to comply will attract appropriate sanctions.
As of the time of filing this report, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the acting director of army public relations, had yet to issue an official statement.
However, a senior officer at the Army Headquarters confirmed the development, describing it as a routine exercise aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness within the Nigerian Army.