ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — President Bola Tinubu on Thursday decorated Nigeria’s newly appointed service chiefs at a ceremony held in the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The event, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, senior officials, lawmakers, and family members, saw the President confer ranks on General Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu (Chief of Army Staff), Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke (Chief of Air Staff), and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Chief of Naval Staff).
The Senate had confirmed the nominees a day earlier following a closed-door screening focused on national security and inter-service coordination. Tinubu had requested expedited confirmation to ensure continuity in military leadership.
The decoration came just a week after a sweeping reshuffle in the military hierarchy, which the Presidency said was aimed at injecting new direction into Nigeria’s defense architecture. Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye retained his role as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Tinubu, Shettima, and the officers’ spouses took turns pinning the new ranks on the chiefs, who were dressed in full service uniforms.
Presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga dismissed speculation linking the changes to recent coup rumors, stating that the President acted within his constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief.
Earlier in the week, Tinubu held a private meeting with the new chiefs, urging them to take decisive action against insurgents and bandits, especially in northern Nigeria.
The reshuffle followed an October 19 report alleging a coup plot, which the Defence Headquarters later described as “false and mischievous.”
Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, said the reported arrests were related to internal disciplinary matters and warned against spreading misinformation that could incite public fear.
