President Bola Tinubu has decorated Nigeria’s newly appointed service chiefs with their new ranks, charging them to deliver peace and security across the nation without delay.
The brief yet symbolic ceremony was held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, with top government officials and military officers in attendance.
During the event, the new Chief of Defence Staff, formerly Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, was decorated with the rank of General. The new Chief of Army Staff, formerly Major General Wahidi Shaibu, was elevated to Lieutenant General, while the Chief of Naval Staff, formerly Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, now holds the rank of Vice Admiral. The Chief of Air Staff, formerly Air Vice Marshal Kelvin Aneke, was decorated as Air Marshal.
Also honoured was the Chief of Defence Intelligence, formerly Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye, who was retained by the President and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.
Presidential Charge
Addressing the newly decorated officers, President Tinubu urged them to carry out their responsibilities with “patriotic zeal,” stressing that Nigerians are eager to celebrate peace and expect tangible outcomes rather than excuses.
He encouraged them to embrace innovation, act preemptively, and demonstrate courage in the face of threats, adding that they must work in unity and leverage modern technology to decisively defeat the nation’s enemies.
“The people of Nigeria are in a hurry to witness peace. Deliver results, not excuses,” Tinubu charged.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, General Olufemi Oluyede pledged the unwavering loyalty of the service chiefs to the President and reaffirmed their commitment to democracy and national unity. He vowed that the new military leadership would intensify the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality to ensure national safety and economic progress.
The ceremony also saw the wives of the newly appointed service chiefs assist in decorating their husbands, symbolizing family support for the demanding national service ahead.
Among the dignitaries present were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Jubril Barau, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila.
Appointments and Senate Confirmation
The new service chiefs were appointed by President Tinubu in October 2025 and confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday after a two-hour closed-door session. During the screening, senators questioned the nominees on their strategies for bolstering national security and reforming the armed forces.
Following the deliberation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio conducted a voice vote confirming all the nominees. He commended President Tinubu for the quality of his selections, describing the new chiefs as men of proven competence, integrity, and experience, capable of restoring discipline and confidence in the military.
What you should know
President Tinubu’s decoration of the new service chiefs marks a renewed effort to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
The administration expects the new military leadership, led by General Olufemi Oluyede, to prioritize innovation, inter-agency cooperation, and the use of technology to overcome the country’s persistent security challenges.
