A formal change of command is taking place this morning at the Nigerian Army Headquarters as Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede hands over the reins of the service to Major General Waidi Shaibu.
Oluyede, who has been elevated to the position of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), is presiding over his last official duty as Chief of Army Staff (COAS). During his relatively brief tenure as Army chief, Oluyede underscored the importance of empowering local governments for grassroots security during his Senate confirmation hearing — a perspective informed by his operational experience.
Major General Shaibu assumes the Army’s top post at a time of significant security challenges for Nigeria, including insurgency in the Northeast, widespread banditry and secessionist agitation in other regions. Shaibu is widely seen as a scholar-soldier: he served as Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI and holds multiple master’s degrees, with further study at Harvard. Observers say his record points to an emphasis on technological modernization and strategic reforms in counter-insurgency doctrine.
The change-of-command ceremony — a key military tradition symbolizing the unbroken chain of command — features the signing of formal documents, the transfer of the command flag and an inaugural address by the incoming COAS. Security analysts are monitoring the proceedings closely for early indications of the new leadership’s operational priorities.
The handover is expected to be completed later today, after which Maj. Gen. Shaibu will officially assume full responsibility for Nigerian Army operations.
