Mass Exit Looms — Tinubu’s Shake-Up Forces 50 Top Generals Out of the Army

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, the restructuring aims to strengthen Nigeria’s defence framework and enhance operational efficiency within the Armed Forces.

Tinubu appointed former Chief of Army Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, as the new Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Musa.

Other appointments include:

• Major-General W. Shaibu – Chief of Army Staff

• Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke – Chief of Air Staff

• Rear Admiral I. Abbas – Chief of Naval Staff

• Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye – retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence

The new appointments are expected to trigger a wave of retirements among top-ranking officers. By military tradition, senior officers who are contemporaries of the outgoing service chiefs are typically required to step aside.

The newly appointed service chiefs are drawn from Course 40 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), replacing their predecessors from Course 39, including General Oluyede himself. Under military convention, senior officers cannot serve under their juniors, meaning several generals from Courses 39 and 40 will likely proceed on voluntary retirement.

According to Leadership Weekend, many Course 39 officers still occupy key strategic positions, including Principal Staff Officer roles at Service Headquarters and commands at tri-service institutions.

Military insiders revealed that the leadership transition could see over 50 senior officers voluntarily exit the service in the coming weeks, marking one of the most significant shake-ups in recent years.