On October 24, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Major General Waidi Shaibu as the 25th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Nigerian Army, succeeding Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, who was elevated to Chief of Defence Staff. This major leadership shake-up, effective immediately, underscores the administration’s push for renewed operational vigor amid escalating security challenges in the Northeast and nationwide. Shaibu, a battle-tested Armoured Corps officer from Kogi State, brings over three decades of frontline experience, particularly in counter-terrorism, to the helm of Nigeria’s 250,000-strong army.

 

Personal Background

– Full Name: Waidi Shaibu (often styled Maj. Gen. W. Shaibu).
– Date of Birth: December 18, 1971.
– Place of Birth: Olamaboro Local Government Area, Kogi State, North Central Nigeria.
– Education: Commissioned into the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps on September 17, 1994, after training at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 41st Regular Combatant Course (1989–1994). He holds advanced qualifications, including Young Officers’ Courses (Armour and Infantry), Company Amphibious Operations, Junior and Senior Staff Courses, Battalion Commanders’ Course, and the Higher Defence Management Course at the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja. Shaibu is a fellow of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and holds the MSS (Master of Strategic Studies) designation.

A family man with a low public profile outside military circles, Shaibu is known for his disciplined lifestyle, often crediting his Kogi roots for instilling resilience. Colleagues describe him as a “strategic thinker with operational audacity,” per a Defence Headquarters statement.

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Military Career and Key Appointments

Shaibu’s 31-year career spans command, training, and strategic roles, with a focus on asymmetric warfare against Boko Haram and ISWAP. His trajectory reflects steady promotions through merit-based deployments:

– Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Nigerian Army (Appointed October 24, 2025): Leads the army’s transformation toward enhanced readiness and sovereignty defense. Tasked with addressing banditry, insurgency, and internal security.
– **Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai (January 2024–April 2025): Oversaw counter-insurgency in the Northeast from Maiduguri. Under his watch, troops neutralized over 567 terrorists, recovered 492 weapons and 10,714 rounds of ammunition, rescued 2,225 civilians, and disrupted command structures by seizing communication devices. He emphasized inter-agency synergy, engaging the Nigeria Immigration Service and traditional leaders like the Shehu of Borno.
– General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division & Commander, Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai (January 2022–December 2023): Directed frontline operations in Maiduguri, earning praise for tactical offensives that reclaimed territories.
– Brigade Commander, 21 Special Armoured Brigade, Bama (Pre-2022): Led armored assaults in high-risk zones, honing his expertise in mechanized warfare.
– Deputy Commandant & Director of Studies, National Defence College, Abuja (Circa 2021): Shaped strategic training for senior officers, fostering leadership in peacekeeping and defense policy.
– Director of Training, Army Headquarters (Pre-2022): Oversaw professional development and combat readiness programs across the force.
– Other Roles: Principal Staff Officer (Army), Defence Headquarters; Chief Instructor, Nigerian Army Armour School; Assistant Director, Peacekeeping Operations, Defence Headquarters; Commanding Officer, 243 Battalion, Monguno; Chief of Staff, 23 Brigade, Yola.

Post-Hadin Kai handover in April 2025, Shaibu transitioned to the Defence Space Administration (DSA) in Abuja, focusing on emerging tech in military ops.

 

Achievements and Commendations

Shaibu’s tenure in Hadin Kai was marked by operational brilliance, earning him the Operation Adinkra Medal for leadership. His strategies:
– Reduced terrorist incursions by 40% in key sectors (NEMA 2025 report).
– Facilitated civilian rescues through community engagement, including visits to traditional rulers for cooperation.
– Opened a Counter-Terrorism Practitioner Course, emphasizing training reforms.

Known for restructuring field operations and promoting discipline, Shaibu’s focus on “synergy and audacity” has been lauded by peers. In a 2024 interview, he stressed: “Victory lies in coordinated strikes and troop welfare.”

 

Personal Style and Leadership Philosophy

A no-nonsense commander, Shaibu prioritizes meritocracy and innovation, often integrating tech like drones into armored tactics. His Kogi heritage fosters a collaborative approach, bridging ethnic divides in diverse units. Colleagues highlight his “calm under fire” demeanor, honed by decades in the Armoured Corps, which equips tanks for rapid, decisive action.

 

The Bigger Picture: A Shake-Up for Security

Tinubu’s appointments—part of a trio including Vice Admiral Saidu Bala (Navy) and Air Marshal Nnamdi Ananaba (Air Force)—signal a proactive reset amid 2025’s security spikes (1,500+ deaths from insurgency). As COAS, Shaibu inherits a force stretched thin but resilient, with a mandate to “infuse vigor” per the president. Analysts predict his Hadin Kai playbook will target banditry in the Northwest and IPOB unrest in the Southeast.

Major General Waidi Shaibu’s ascent to COAS on October 24, 2025, brings a proven tactician to Nigeria’s army helm, poised to steer through turbulent times with discipline and foresight. From NDA cadet to theatre commander, his journey embodies service. As he salutes the flag, Nigeria eyes a fortified future under his command.