President Bola Tinubu’s dismissal of Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa and other service chiefs on October 24, 2025, has drawn reactions from retired military generals, who welcomed the move as a step to rejuvenate the armed forces. Tinubu appointed Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Major General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, while Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye retained his role as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Retired generals, speaking to Vanguard Newspaper, described the reshuffle as routine, aligning with the tradition of two-year tenures to ensure career progression and prevent stagnation. One general noted that prolonged tenures in the past disrupted succession, forcing early retirements. Retired General Anthony Atolagbe, in a TV interview, said the change would spark excitement in the military and enhance career progression.
A serving senior officer, speaking anonymously, emphasized that clear political support and operational freedom could swiftly address insecurity. The reshuffle follows a reported coup attempt, which the Presidency and military dismissed as fake news. In 2023, Tinubu had replaced all service chiefs, and in November 2024, appointed Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff after Major-General T.A. Lagbaja’s death.
