The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a major reshuffle of senior officers across the Nigerian Army, appointing commanders and directors to key operational, administrative, and instructional positions in what has been described as a move to reinvigorate the service.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, shortly after President Bola Tinubu decorated the COAS and other newly confirmed service chiefs with their ranks at the State House on Thursday.
Anele explained that the latest postings were part of efforts to strengthen leadership across formations and enhance the Army’s operational capacity in confronting emerging security threats nationwide.
“The Chief of Army Staff has approved the redeployment and appointments of senior officers to critical command, staff, and training positions in order to sharpen leadership focus and improve overall effectiveness,” she said.
Lieutenant General Shaibu, in his directive to the affected officers, charged them to display professionalism, discipline, and strategic foresight in executing their new duties.
He also urged them to sustain the Army’s operational momentum and deepen cooperation with other security agencies.
“You must uphold the values of loyalty, integrity, and selfless service that define the Nigerian Army,” the COAS said.
“Our mission remains clear: to build a combat-ready and disciplined force capable of addressing both current and future security challenges.”
Among the newly appointed senior officers are:
Major General Bamidele Alabi, now Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) at the Army Headquarters, from his previous post in the same department.
Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, formerly Chief of Special Services and Programmes, moves to the Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Operations.
Major General Peter Mala, redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser, becomes Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Nigerian Army.
Major General Samson Jiya now serves as Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget at the Defence Headquarters, after his stint at the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC).
Other strategic appointments include:Major General Mayirenso Saraso, Chief of Operations (Army), from the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Major General Isa Abdullahi, Chief of Administration (Army), from the Defence Headquarters.
Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, Chief of Civil–Military Affairs, at the Army Headquarters.
Major General Abubakar Haruna, Commander, Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora.
Major General Philip Ilodibia, Chief of Defence Space Administration, from the Army Headquarters Policy and Plans Department.
Also affected are:Major General Godwin Mutkut, Corps Commander Infantry, from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena.
Major General Umar Abubakar, Commander, Nigerian Army Armour Corps, from the Ministry of Defence.
Major General John Adeyemo, Corps Commander Artillery, from the Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA).
Major General Mohammed Abdullahi, Corps Commander Signals, from the Cyberwarfare Command.
Further redeployments approved by the COAS include:
Major General Taofik Sidick, Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), now at the Nigerian Army Finance Corps.
Major General Abdullahi Ibrahim, Corps Commander Ordnance, at the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps.
Major General Adeyinka Adereti, Corps Commander Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, at the Army Headquarters.
Major General Nansak Shagaya, Corps Commander Supply and Transport, formerly of the Department of Operations.
Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, Acting Corps Commander Education.
The COAS also confirmed new leadership for major training institutions:
Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.
Major General Emmanuel Mustapha, Commandant, Nigerian Army Signal School.
Major General Adamu Hassan, Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Artillery.
Brigadier General John Bulus, Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts.
In the field commands, the COAS approved the following postings:
Major General Saidu Audu, Force Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena.
Major General Warrah Idris, Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
Major General Oluremi Fadairo, General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Enugu, and Commander, Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA.
In addition, Major General Olatokunbo Bello has been appointed Director, Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, while Brigadier General Samaila Uba becomes Director, Defence Information, after leaving the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.
Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Anele said the new postings were carefully considered to enhance synergy between combat, support, and administrative components of the Nigerian Army.
“This rotation of leadership is intended to strengthen professionalism and ensure strategic balance across commands,” she noted.
Lieutenant General Shaibu, who assumed office earlier this year, has consistently emphasised leadership renewal, discipline, and joint operations as pillars of his agenda for the Army under the Renewed Hope Security Framework of President Tinubu’s administration.
