President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially decorated the newly appointed Service Chiefs with their ranks during a ceremony held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.
Those honoured were General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff; Vice Admiral Idi Abass, Chief of Naval Staff; Air Marshal Kevin Aneke, Chief of Air Staff; and Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The symbolic ceremony marked a new phase in Nigeria’s military leadership and was attended by top government functionaries, security chiefs, and the officers’ spouses, who assisted President Tinubu during the decoration.
Among the dignitaries present were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
Also in attendance were National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. Heads of the DSS, NIA, EFCC, and NIMC also graced the event.
The decoration followed the Senate’s confirmation of the nominees earlier in the week after President Tinubu requested an expedited screening to ensure a seamless transition of military command.
In a statement shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, President Tinubu congratulated the newly decorated officers, urged them to “deepen professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the Armed Forces as they serve the nation with honour.”
He reiterated that the leadership shake-up in the Armed Forces was part of his administration’s strategy to strengthen national security and enhance the efficiency of defence operations.
Thursday’s ceremony signified a formal assumption of office by the new military chiefs and a renewed commitment to reinforcing Nigeria’s defence architecture.
