The Nigerian Army has unveiled the newly approved official portrait of the 25th Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, urging journalists, media houses, and the general public to immediately update their records and stop circulating outdated photographs.
In a statement posted on its official 𝕏 handle on Tuesday, the Army said the directive became necessary to ensure uniformity and avoid misrepresentation of the Army’s top officer across media platforms.
Naijaonpoint reports that the statement cautioned against the continued use of old images depicting the COAS with a lower rank, noting that such photos no longer reflect his current status.
“You are kindly requested to update your media archives accordingly and refrain from using previous photographs, particularly those depicting the Chief of Army Staff with the rank of Major General, in subsequent publications,” the Army wrote.
The military also directed the public to disregard an earlier portrait previously circulated, saying it had been withdrawn.
The statement acknowledged the role of the media in national security, praising journalists for their cooperation and professionalism.
“The Nigerian Army sincerely appreciates your professionalism, commitment and invaluable contributions to national security through factual and responsible reporting of our activities,” it said.
The new portrait of Shaibu has now become the official image to be used in all reports, features, profiles, and documentation relating to the office of the Chief of Army Staff.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Senate on Wednesday, October 29, confirmed Major General, Waidi Shaibu, as the new Chief of Army Staff, with a directive to “take a bow” and assume office without delay.
Shaibu’s confirmation came less than an hour after the chamber cleared General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, marking the continuation of the screening process for President Bola Tinubu’s newly appointed service chiefs.
The confirmation exercise, held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, was conducted under tight security as lawmakers combined closed and open sessions to vet the nominees.
Presiding over the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the screening as a constitutional duty aimed at ensuring that only the most competent and patriotic officers lead Nigeria’s military.
“There is no need to ask them too many questions because we will be having a closed-door session with them,” Akpabio had told his colleagues.
Speaking during the session, Senator Isah Jubrin (Kogi East) vouched for Shaibu’s competence and character, stressing that his humility and professionalism make him fit for the position.
Jubrin said, “The officer is well known to me. I have known him for 30 years. Shaibu is humble and takes his job very seriously. I want to believe that is an asset.
“I believe he has what it takes to move Nigeria out of the challenges the country is experiencing today.”
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