General Christopher Musa has been removed as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) by President Bola Tinubu, with General Olufemi Oluyede announced as his replacement.
Until his latest appointment, which is with immediate effect, Mr Oluyede was the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). He was appointed to the position on September 30, 2024, by Mr Tinubu to fill the vacant position left by Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 24, 2025, by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, it was disclosed that the new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu, while Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is the Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff, as the Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retained his position..
It was explained that the President made changes to the “hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.”
“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses 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 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 noted.
The latest development comes some days after it was rumoured that about 16 personnel of the Nigerian military were arrested for an alleged attempt to remove Mr Tinubu from office. The military denied this, stressing that the affected officials were picked up for other offences.