Facts You May Not Know About Nigeria’s Newly Appointed Service Chiefs

• President Tinubu reshuffles top military leadership, appointing new service chiefs across Defence, Army, Air Force, Navy, and Intelligence.

• The appointees boast elite global training from institutions such as Harvard, NIPSS, and the National Defence University, Washington D.C.

• Their careers span decades of frontline operations, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism across Nigeria and beyond.

Below are facts you may not know about the new service chiefs:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede — Chief of Defence Staff

• Birthplace: Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
• Born: June 21, 1968.
• Background: Joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (39th Regular Course) in 1987; commissioned Second Lieutenant in December 1992.
• Academic Strength: Holds degrees in Economics; trained at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.
• Past Role: Served as Chief of Army Staff before his promotion.
• Leadership Philosophy: Believes in building a “combat-ready, motivated, and coordinated force” through intelligence-led operations.
• Distinct Edge: Known as a soldier-scholar, blending academic discipline with military command.
• Personal Life: Married; enjoys travelling, basketball, and volleyball.

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Major General Waidi Shaibu — Chief of Army Staff

• Birthplace: Olamaboro LGA, Kogi State.
• Born: December 18, 1971.
• Education:
  • B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering (NDA).
  • PG Certificate in Public Administration (GIMPA, Ghana).
  • Master’s degrees in Public Administration (Unical), Strategic Studies (Ibadan), and Security Studies (National Defence University, Washington D.C.).
• International Training: Alumni of Harvard Kennedy School of Government (Leadership for the 21st Century).
• Combat Record: Served in Operations Harmony, Boyona, Lafiya Dole, Tura Takaibango, and Hadin Kai.
• Peace Missions: Represented Nigeria in Sudan and Liberia.
• Key Commands: GOC 7 Division, Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai.
• Focus Areas: Personnel welfare, logistics modernisation, and re-equipping of armoured units.
• Notable Trait: Known for intellectual discipline and practical leadership in high-conflict zones.

Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke — Chief of Air Staff

• Birthplace: Makurdi, Benue State.
• Born: February 20, 1972.
• Hometown: Udi LGA, Enugu State.
• Family: Son of Air Warrant Officer (rtd) Sylvester Aneke and Mrs Ngozi Aneke.
• Education:
  • Physics (B.Sc.), Management (PGD), International Affairs and Diplomacy (M.A., ABU), and Political Economy (M.Sc., UniAbuja).
  • Certified in Aviation Safety Management (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, USA).
• Flight Hours: Over 4,300 across Air Beetle 18, Dornier 228, Falcon 900, Gulfstream 550, and Hawker 4000.
• Career Highlights:
  • Commander, 307 Executive Airlift Group.
  • Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy.
  • Director of Policy and Safety at Air Force HQ.
• Strengths: Precision flying, safety systems, and command management.
• Unique Skill: Among few Nigerian officers certified in aviation safety at a global level.

Rear Admiral Idi Abbas — Chief of Naval Staff

• Birthplace: Kano State.
• Born: September 20, 1969.
• Military Entry: Joined NDA (40th Regular Course); commissioned Midshipman in 1992.
• Command Experience:
  • Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Yenagoa.
  • Led anti-piracy and anti-oil theft operations in the Niger Delta.
• Operational Record: Credited with decisive actions against illegal bunkering and maritime crimes.
• Specialty: Maritime security, naval strategy, and coastal surveillance.
• Reputation: Known for operational toughness and deep knowledge of Nigeria’s coastal terrain.

Major General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye — Chief of Defence Intelligence

• Birthplace: Bedia, Obudu LGA, Cross River State.
• Born: September 2, 1968.
• Training: Alumnus of NDA and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst (UK).
• Education:
  • B.A. in History.
  • M.A. in Strategic Security Studies.
  • International Counter-Terrorism Fellow, National Defence University (Washington D.C.).
• Professional Background:
  • Former Chief of Staff, Army Intelligence Corps HQ.
  • Director of Foreign Liaison, Defence Intelligence Agency.
  • Commandant, ML Agwai Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji.
• UN Roles: Deputy Chief Operations Officer (UN Mission in Liberia) and Deputy Chief of Assessments (UN HQ, New York).
• Core Mandate: Strengthen early-warning intelligence systems and inter-agency coordination.
• Personal Life: Married to Jane Ekor Undiandeye; passionate about books, photography, and golf.