President Bola Tinubu on Friday, October 24, 2025, approved a major reshuffle of Nigeria’s military high command, appointing new chiefs for the Army, Navy, and Air Force in a move aimed at bolstering leadership amid heightened security concerns. The appointments, announced by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), come just days after the arrest of 20 military officers accused of plotting a coup to assassinate Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, among others. The developments have sent shockwaves through the nation, with an investigative panel set to probe the suspects on October 25, 2025.

 

The New Military Leadership: A Fresh Command Structure

Tinubu’s approval signals a strategic pivot to address operational challenges in counter-terrorism and internal security. The appointees, all seasoned officers, were paraded at the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock, where the president charged them with “renewed vigor” against threats like Boko Haram and banditry.

Key appointments include:
– Chief of Army Staff: Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede (formerly Commander, Infantry Corps, Jaji) – A veteran of Northeast operations, replacing the retired Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
– Chief of Naval Staff: Vice Admiral Saidu Bala (formerly Flag Officer, Western Naval Command) – Focused on maritime security against piracy, succeeding Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla.
– Chief of Air Staff: Air Marshal Nnamdi Ananaba (formerly Air Officer Commanding, Air Training Command) – Tasked with enhancing air superiority, taking over from Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar.

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“These officers embody discipline and patriotism; they will lead our armed forces to new heights,” Tinubu said, emphasizing unity against “emerging threats.”

 

The reshuffle, the first since June 2023, retires the outgoing trio on health/tenure grounds, per military tradition. Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar lauded the changes as “proactive,” promising enhanced welfare for troops.

 

The Alleged Coup Plot: A Foiled Threat to Democracy

The appointments coincide with revelations of a foiled coup plot, detailed in an exclusive report by Premium Times on October 24, 2025, sourced from top intelligence. Twenty officers, including mid-level majors and captains, were arrested in late September 2025 for allegedly planning to overthrow Tinubu’s administration on October 25—coinciding with the probe panel’s session.

Sources described a multi-pronged scheme:
– Assassinations: Targeted simultaneous hits on Tinubu, Shettima, Akpabio, Abbas, and other VIPs, using informants in the Presidential Villa to track movements.
– Arrests: Planned detentions of service chiefs without killing them.
– Endgame: Install a military junta, fueled by grievances over “career stagnation and promotion exam failures.”

The plot’s exposure led to the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade, a rare security precaution. DHQ spokesperson Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, in an October 4 statement, confirmed investigations into “indiscipline and breaches,” but denied coup specifics, framing it as routine probes. No official comment from the presidency, but insiders told Premium Times the arrests averted a “bloodbath,” with plotters leveraging military ceremonies for access.

 

The investigative panel, chaired by a retired general, will interrogate suspects starting October 25 at a secure Abuja facility, per military sources. Outcomes could include courts-martial, with penalties up to death under the Armed Forces Act.

 

Public and Political Reactions

The news has polarized reactions. Supporters of Tinubu, including APC Youth Leader Dayo Israel, hailed the reshuffle: “New sheriffs in town—Tinubu’s decisive leadership foils plots and fortifies the nation!” On X, #TinubuStrong trended with 50,000 posts, featuring salute emojis and praise for the new chiefs.

Critics, including PDP’s Deji Adeyanju, questioned timing: “Coup plot or convenient purge? 20 officers arrested quietly—now a shake-up? Transparency now!”.

Labour Party’s Kenneth Okonkwo echoed: “From parade cancellation to new chiefs—INEC’s BVAS for military?” The opposition’s call for a Senate probe gained 10,000 signatures by evening.

Civil society, via SERAP, demanded details: “Foiled coup? Publish the panel’s terms—Nigerians deserve to know threats to democracy.”

 

Broader Context: Nigeria’s Security Landscape

Nigeria’s military has faced scrutiny amid escalating insecurity: 1,500+ deaths from banditry in 2025 (SBM Intelligence), plus IPOB clashes in the Southeast. The reshuffle follows the September 2025 appointment of new police IG Kayode Egbetokun, part of Tinubu’s security reset. Analysts like Kabir Adamu (Beacon Consulting) note: “Strategic timing—new chiefs can refocus on Northeast ops while probing disloyalty.”

With the 2027 elections looming, the plot— if confirmed—could bolster Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” narrative but risks eroding trust in the armed forces, which enjoy 70% public approval (Afrobarometer 2025).

 

Why This Matters

In a nation where coups once defined politics (1966-1999), foiling one underscores democratic fragility. The shake-up could streamline ops but must address root causes like welfare (troops earn ₦50,000/month amid inflation).

President Tinubu’s October 24, 2025, approval of new military chiefs—Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Vice Adm. Saidu Bala, and Air Marshal Nnamdi Ananaba—ushers in “new sheriffs” amid a chilling alleged coup plot targeting him and top aides, leading to 20 arrests and a canceled parade. As the October 25 panel convenes, Nigeria braces for revelations that could reshape its security. Tinubu urged: “Unity defeats plots—our forces will prevail.” The nation watches.