President Bola Tinubu has clarified that the recent dismissal of Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa and other service chiefs was a routine measure to strengthen national security. In an interview on October 24, 2025, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication Sunday Dare emphasized that, as Commander-in-Chief, Tinubu has the authority to make such changes to improve security operations.
The President appointed Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, Major General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshall S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff. Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye retained his role as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Dare described the reshuffle as a standard procedure, comparable to reassigning commanding officers, and dismissed recent coup rumors as fake news, a stance echoed by the Nigerian Army. The Presidency maintains that these changes aim to enhance security coordination and effectiveness across the nation.
