President Bola Tinubu on Thursday officially decorated Nigeria’s newly appointed service chiefs with their ranks during a ceremony held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The event, which began shortly after 2 p.m., was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the officers’ spouses, and senior government officials.
General Olufemi Oluyede was decorated as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.
The Senate had confirmed their appointments a day earlier following a two-hour closed-door screening focused on national security and inter-service coordination.
President Tinubu’s decision to appoint the new chiefs follows a major reshuffle within the military hierarchy announced last week, described by the Presidency as a move to inject fresh direction into the nation’s defence structure.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General E. A. P. Undiendeye, retained his position.
Addressing speculation about a coup plot, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarified that the changes were routine and within the President’s constitutional authority.
He emphasized that the move was not linked to recent rumours but aimed at strengthening security operations nationwide.
Earlier in the week, the President met privately with the new service chiefs at the Villa, where he reportedly urged them to take decisive action against insurgents and bandits, particularly in the northern region.
The military had also dismissed reports of arrests over a supposed coup attempt, describing them as baseless and mischievous.
The decoration ceremony marked a symbolic affirmation of Tinubu’s commitment to reshaping Nigeria’s security leadership as the country continues to confront persistent security challenges.
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