By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Tinubu’s recent shake-up of the security architecture, which saw the appointment of General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Major-General Waidi Shaibu as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has dominated headlines.
While their appointments signal a major shift in the nation’s security strategy, many aspects of the new chiefs’ careers and personas remain largely unknown to the general public.
Here are some key insights into the backgrounds of the new security chiefs;
Olufemi Oluyede: Chief of Defence Staff
General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede (born 1968) takes on the mantle of CDS after a short tenure as the Chief of Army Staff.
Before his COAS role, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna.
His career is heavily decorated, with awards including the Corps Medal of Honour and the Grand Service Star. He has extensive experience in international and complex missions, having participated in the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia and Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi.
He is a veteran of the North-East theatre, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), providing him with intimate knowledge of the ongoing insurgency.
Oluyede is an alumnus of the Nigerian Defence Academy (39th Regular Course). He also holds the prestigious ‘Passed Staff Course’ designation and is a member of the National Institute.
Waidi Shaibu: Chief of Army Staff
Major-General Waidi Shaibu steps into the COAS role with a reputation forged in the intense environment of Nigeria’s North-East counter-insurgency efforts, bringing a wealth of frontline experience to the Army’s top job.
Shaibu is widely recognised for his exceptional leadership as the Theatre Commander for Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), the joint task force operating in the North-East. His tenure was marked by significant operational successes against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.
Beyond direct combat, his leadership prioritised the refurbishment and upgrade of military hardware—such as VP 1 Type 89 APCs and Steyr APCs—and intensive training, particularly in IED (Improvised Explosive Device) mitigation.
He previously served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and later as the Deputy Commandant at the National Defence College.
Sunday Kelvin Aneke: Chief of Air Staff
Born in Makurdi, Benue State, he hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. AVM Sunday Aneke is a decorated officer and pilot with more than 4,300 flying hours.
According to his profile on the Nigeria Airforce website, he is a member of the 40th Regular Course of the NDA. Aneke holds degrees from the University of Calabar, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Abuja, and the U.S. Air War College, where he earned a Master’s in Strategic Studies.
His long and distinguished service in the Nigerian Air Force includes leadership roles in logistics, flight operations, and safety management. Aneke has flown multiple aircraft — from the Dornier 228 to Gulfstream jets — and previously served as Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Idi Abbas: Chief of Naval Staff
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, from Kano State, brings decades of naval operational and administrative experience.
According to a 2023 report, he was formerly the Director of Operations at Naval Headquarters and later Chief of Naval Safety and Standards.
Emmanuel Undiendeye: Chief of Defence Intelligence
Retaining his role as Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiendeye from Bedia, Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, continues to lead Nigeria’s defence intelligence architecture.
A career officer and former Commandant of the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Undiendeye is known for his expertise in security analysis, regional peacekeeping, and intelligence coordination.
