Tinubu decorates service chiefs with new ranks
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decorated the newly appointed service chiefs with their official ranks at a ceremony held inside the Council Chambers of the State House on Thursday.
Those honoured include Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff; Idi Abass, Chief of Naval Staff; Kevin Aneke, Chief of Air Staff; and Emmanuel Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The event, which symbolised a new phase in Nigeria’s military leadership, was conducted in the presence of top government officials, security chiefs, and the officers’ spouses, who assisted the president during the decoration.
Among the dignitaries in attendance 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.
Others included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru; Information Minister Mohammed Idris; Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. Heads of the DSS, NIA, EFCC, and NIMC were also present.
The decoration came shortly after the National Assembly confirmed the president’s nominees, following his request for an expedited process to allow the new chiefs to assume duty without delay.
President Tinubu recently announced the shake-up in the military hierarchy, describing it as part of efforts to strengthen national security and enhance professionalism within the armed forces.
In a post on his verified X handle, Tinubu urged the newly decorated officers to “deepen professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the Armed Forces as they serve our nation with honour.”
The Senate had screened and confirmed the nominees after a closed-door session focused on strategies to boost defence coordination and national security.
Thursday’s ceremony marked a formal handover of military command and a renewed commitment to fortifying Nigeria’s defence structure.
