President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, October 30, 2025, formally decorated the newly appointed Service Chiefs with their new ranks during a solemn ceremony held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, signaling the final step in the transition of the nation’s security architecture. The decorated officers included General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Staff; Lieutenant General Wahidi Shaibu, the Chief of Army Staff; Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Chief of Air Staff. The event was a high-profile affair, witnessing the presence of the Vice President, the leadership and members of the National Assembly, several state governors, ministers, and other dignitaries who gathered to witness the elevation of the new military leadership. Speaking during the decoration, President Tinubu charged the new helmsmen to crush the enemies of the state decisively, stressing that the country is “in a hurry to celebrate victory” against persistent threats. He further urged them to deepen professionalism, enhance vigilance, and demonstrate unwavering commitment to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity, noting that the new leadership represents a renewed opportunity to refine operational strategies and rebuild public confidence in the Armed Forces.
The decoration followed the National Assembly’s confirmation of the nominees on Wednesday, after a rigorous, two-hour closed-door screening session where lawmakers quizzed the new service chiefs on their plans for military modernisation, inter-agency synergy, and combating insurgency across all regions. The Senate’s expeditious handling of the confirmation process was hailed by the Presidency as a clear demonstration of strong partnership between the Executive and the Legislature. Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, described the swift approval as crucial to safeguarding Nigeria’s security and sovereignty, commending the Senate for its prompt and thorough consideration of the nominations which were originally announced earlier in October 2025. Lado, who facilitated the interface between the two arms of government, noted that the appointments represent a deliberate move by the administration to reinforce the Armed Forces with fresh leadership and vision as they resume duties immediately to tackle the nation’s complex security challenges.
