Tinubu on Monday met with the newly appointed Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, charging them to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating professionalism, vigilance, and unity in the Armed Forces.
The new military leaders, dressed in full camouflage, arrived together at the State House around 4 p.m. in a black Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van accompanied by a green Toyota Land Cruiser. They were received by security aides and ushered into the Villa for a closed-door session with the President.
The meeting, which lasted about 40 minutes, was the first between Tinubu and the new military heads since their appointment on Friday, October 24, 2025.
In attendance were the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major General W. Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye.
A statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the appointments were part of the administration’s renewed effort to strengthen national security and reposition the military for efficiency.
According to the statement, “The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses his 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.”
It added that Tinubu charged the newly appointed officers to “justify the confidence reposed in them” through enhanced professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship within the Armed Forces.
General Olufemi Oluyede replaced General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff, while Major General W. Shaibu was named Chief of Army Staff. Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke became Chief of Air Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abbas assumed office as Chief of Naval Staff, and Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye retained his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The service chiefs departed the Villa at about 4:40 p.m. after the closed-door meeting.
