The recent shake-up in Nigeria’s military hierarchy is set to force the retirement of dozens of senior officers following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of new service chiefs.
According to Daily Trust, findings revealed that no fewer than 60 generals are expected to leave the Armed Forces in line with military tradition.
The development followed Friday’s removal of General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff and other top commanders.
According to the Presidency, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Olufemi Oluyede, has been named the new Chief of Defence Staff.
Other appointments include:
Major-General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as Chief of Air Staff
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff
Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence
Military sources said the appointments will trigger a wave of retirements, particularly among officers who are senior to the newly appointed chiefs.
“The newly appointed Service Chiefs will be decorated with their ranks any moment from now. As such, their seniors who are still in service will exit,” one source confirmed.
Officers from the Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Courses 38, 39 and some from Course 40 are expected to be affected.
The reshuffle, sources added, is consistent with tradition to maintain discipline, hierarchy, and command structure in the Armed Forces.
The Presidency explained that the changes were designed to strengthen national security and improve coordination across the military.
The appointments came days after reports of a coup plot circulated in the media, though there has been no official confirmation of any link between the rumours and the shake-up.
Daily Trust noted that security observers believe the retirement of senior officers will open the way for a new generation of commanders. The move, they argue, could inject fresh energy into military operations, though it may briefly unsettle the chain of command.
A former spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Sani Usman Kukasheka (rtd), described the development as routine.
“It is a regular practice in the military. Leadership rotation brings new energy to operations,” he said.
In a statement signed by presidential aide Sunday Dare, the Presidency praised the outgoing officers for their service.
He noted that the decision was taken “in furtherance of efforts to strengthen the national security architecture.”
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