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By Philip Nwosu and Molly Kilete
The Federal Government on Friday announced the appointment of new Service Chiefs as part of on-going efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.
In the new appointments, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede was named the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), replacing General Christopher Musa, who had held the position since 2023.
Gen Olufemi Oluyede:
Chief of Defence Staff
The new Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, a seasoned Nigerian Army officer was elevated following his successful tenure as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), a position he held from 30 September 2024 until his recent promotion by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
General Oluyede was born in 1968 in Ikere, Ekiti State, Oluyede began his military journey in 1987 as a cadet at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna. He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1992 after completing his military training.
A proud member of the 39th Regular Course of the NDA — the same course as the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, former Chief of Army Staff — General Oluyede has built an illustrious military career spanning over three decades.
He has served in various command and staff positions within and outside Nigeria, earning a reputation for professionalism, discipline, and operational excellence.
Major General Shaibu:
Chief of the Army Staff
Also appointed is Major General Waidi Shaibu as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Until his new posting, General Shaibu served as the Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, the Nigerian Army’s counter-terrorism operation in the North-East.
During his tenure as Theatre Commander, Shaibu’s troops reportedly neutralized over 567 terrorists, recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, and rescued more than 2,200 civilians from insurgent enclaves.
Before his appointment as Theatre Commander, Shaibu was the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander, Sector 1, Operation HADIN KAI. He also served as Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies at the National Defence College, Abuja.
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas:
Chief of the Naval Staff
The Presidency also announced the appointment of Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).
Rear Admiral Abbas, a seasoned naval officer from Kano State, previously served as the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command and later as Chief of Standards and Evaluation at the Naval Headquarters (NHQ).
A member of the 40th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, Abbas began his military journey at the Air Force Military School (AFMS) in 1981 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in September 1993. His tenure at Naval Headquarters saw him play a leading role in promoting regimentation and operational discipline within the Navy.
AVM Sunday Kelvin Aneke:
Chief of Air Staff
The appointment of Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) marks a new chapter in the history of the Nigerian Air Force, one defined by intellectual depth, operational precision, and a renewed commitment to national security and airpower excellence.
Born on 20 February 1972 in Makurdi, Benue State, Air Vice Marshal Aneke hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. The son of Air Warrant Officer (Rtd) Sylvester and Mrs Ngozi Aneke, his early education at Army Children School, New Cantonment ‘A’, Kaduna (1976–1982) and Government College, Kaduna (1982–1987) laid the foundation for a disciplined and purpose-driven life. He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 40th Regular Combatant Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on 10 September 1993, a journey that has since reflected brilliance, dedication, and steady ascension through merit.
An erudite scholar and strategic thinker, Air Vice Marshal Aneke holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the University of Calabar, and two Master’s Degrees, one in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and another in Political Economy and Development Studies from the University of Abuja. He also possesses a Professional Certificate in Aviation Safety Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, USA, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). His pursuit of knowledge reflects a deep commitment to informed leadership and adaptive strategy in modern airpower application.
Throughout his distinguished career, Air Vice Marshal Aneke has attended some of the most prestigious military institutions, including the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, where he completed the Junior and Senior Staff Courses, and the United States Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where he earned a Master’s in Strategic Studies. He has held numerous command, instructional, and policy appointments that shaped his operational and strategic acumen, among them Director of Policy, Director of Safety, Deputy Director of Operations at NAF Headquarters, Command Operations Officer, Tactical Air Command, and Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy. Until his appointment as CAS, he served as Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Yenagoa, where he enhanced air mobility, strengthened joint force integration, and improved the strategic response of the Nigerian Air Force in multi-domain operations.
An accomplished pilot with over 4, 359 flying hours, Air Vice Marshal Aneke is type-rated on multiple aircraft including the Air Beetle 18, Dornier 228, Citation 500, Falcon 900, Gulfstream V, Gulfstream 550, and Hawker 4000. His operational experience spans domestic and international theatres, from Operation Restore Hope in the Niger Delta to United Nations peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), where he served as Chief of Air Operations, Kindu Region. His contributions to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations have been instrumental in improving NAF’s counter-insurgency capabilities across multiple fronts.
Decorated with numerous medals and honours including GSS, DSS, GSM, FCM, Psc, MSc, MIAD, MPEDS, and USAFWC, Air Vice Marshal Aneke is widely regarded as a refined officer, visionary leader, and professional aviator of exceptional integrity and depth. His calm disposition, strategic foresight, and results-oriented leadership have earned him respect within and beyond the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Air Vice Marshal Aneke is happily married to Mrs Ngozi Enderline Aneke, and their union is blessed with three sons, Chukwuebuka Kelvin, Ifeanyichukwu Brian, and Uchechukwu Jason.
