By Omenihu Alfred fibmn
President Bola Tinubu on Friday 24th of October approved the appointment of new chiefs of staff to replace the already existing ones. Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede is the new Chief of Defence Staff, bringing to the role a career that spans nearly four decades in the Nigerian Army. Born on June 21, 1968, in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Oluyede entered the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 as a member of the 39th Regular Course and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on December 19, 1992. He holds a degrees in Economics and has attended numerous leadership and strategic courses, including at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru. He has also served as an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy, reflecting his strong academic orientation within the military. Before his elevation, he served as the Chief of Army Staff. As Chief of Defence Staff, Oluyede is expected to provide overall strategic direction for the Armed Forces, enhance inter-service cooperation, and drive the integration of intelligence-led operations. His leadership philosophy centres on building a combat-ready, motivated, and well-coordinated force capable of addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
In the same vain, Major General Waidi Shaibu the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff, is a seasoned officer with a blend of operational experience, academic excellence, and strategic vision. Born on December 18, 1971, in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, he began his military journey at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1989 as part of the 41st Regular Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Armour Corps in September 1994.
Waidi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the NDA, a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, and multiple master’s degrees in Public Administration from the University of Calabar, in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan, and in Security and Strategic Studies from the National Defence University in Washington, D.C. He is also an alumnus of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, where he completed the Leadership for the 21st Century programme.
Throughout his career, Shaibu has participated in numerous military operations, including Operations Harmony, Boyona, Lafiya Dole, Tura Takaibango, and Hadin Kai. He also took part in peacekeeping assignments in Sudan and Liberia. His leadership trajectory includes serving as Platoon Commander, Battalion Commanding Officer, Brigade Commander, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, and Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the Nigerian Army’s flagship counter-insurgency campaign.
In another development, Air Vice Marshal, Sunday Kelvin Aneke has been appointed the Nigeria’s new Chief of Air Staff as combines deep operational experience with academic versatility and a passion for aviation excellence. Born on February 20, 1972, in Makurdi, Benue State, to Air Warrant Officer (rtd) Sylvester Aneke and Mrs Ngozi Aneke, from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. He began his education at Army Children School, Kaduna, and later attended Government College Kaduna before gaining admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1988 as a member of the 40th Regular Combatant Course. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on September 10, 1993, and has since built a distinguished flying and command career that has seen him serve in numerous operational, instructional, and administrative roles. Aneke has flown over 4,300 hours across several aircraft types, including the Air Beetle 18, Dornier 228, Falcon 900, Gulfstream 550, and Hawker 4000. His career highlights include serving as Commander of the 307 Executive Airlift Group, Director of Policy and Safety at Air Force Headquarters, Deputy Director of Operations, and Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, and two master’s degrees, one in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, and another in Political Economy and Developmental Studies from the University of Abuja. He also possesses a Professional Certificate in Aviation Safety Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, USA.
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, is the new Chief of Naval Staff and this brings to the position over three decades of naval command, operations, and maritime security experience. Born on September 20, 1969, in Kano State and he joined the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 40th Regular Course and was commissioned as a Midshipman in 1992.
Abbas has held several critical appointments within the Nigerian Navy, including Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. In that capacity, he led decisive operations against maritime crimes, including illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and piracy in the Niger Delta.
Major General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye the newly appointed Chief of Defence Intelligence, is one of the Nigerian military’s most experienced intelligence officers with a rich record in both national and international operations. Born on September 2, 1968, in Bedia, Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, he is an alumnus of the Nigerian Defence Academy and the prestigious Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom.
Undiandeye holds a Bachelor’s degree in History, a Master’s degree in Strategic Security Studies, and is an International Counter-Terrorism Fellow from the National Defence University in Washington, D.C. His diverse professional background reflects a combination of field intelligence, strategic planning, and international peacekeeping.
He has served in key roles including Chief of Staff at the Army Intelligence Corps Headquarters, Director of Foreign Liaison at the Defence Intelligence Agency, and Commandant of the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre in Jaji. He also served as Deputy Chief Operations Officer with the United Nations Mission in Liberia and later as Deputy Chief of Assessments at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
As Chief of Defence Intelligence, Undiandeye is expected to spearhead the integration of intelligence operations across the services, strengthen early-warning systems, and improve information-sharing between the military and security agencies. His experience in counter-terrorism and peacekeeping gives him a unique advantage in driving intelligence-led security operation
