The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the posting and appointment of senior officers to key command, staff, and instructional roles across various formations, units, and training institutions of the Nigerian Army.
According to a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Appolonia Anele, the reshuffle aims to reinvigorate leadership, strengthen command structures, and reposition the Army for enhanced operational effectiveness.
Among the newly appointed officers is Major General Bamidele Alabi, redeployed to Army Headquarters as Chief of Policy and Plans (Army). Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, formerly Chief of Special Services and Programmes, has been posted to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Operations, while Major General Peter Mala moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Headquarters of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) as Commander.
Major General Samson Jiya, previously at the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC), is now Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget at Defence Headquarters.
Other key appointments include Major General Mayirenso Saraso as Chief of Operations (Army); Major General Isa Abdullahi as Chief of Administration (Army); and Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi as Chief of Civil-Military Affairs.
Major General Abubakar Haruna becomes Commander of the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora, while Major General Philip Ilodibia has been appointed Chief of Defence Space Administration.
Also affected are Major General Godwin Mutkut, now Corps Commander Infantry; Major General Umar Abubakar, appointed Commander Armour Corps; Major General John Adeyemo, Corps Commander Artillery; and Major General Mohammed Abdullahi, Corps Commander Signals.
Major General Taofik Sidick was appointed Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), while Major General Abdullahi Ibrahim and Major General Adeyinka Adereti now head the Ordnance and Electrical/Mechanical Engineers Corps, respectively. Major General Nansak Shagaya assumes command of the Corps of Supply and Transport, and Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed becomes Acting Corps Commander Education.
Further appointments include Major General Oluyemi Olatoye as Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna; Major General Emmanuel Mustapha as Commandant, Nigerian Army Signal School; Major General Adamu Hassan as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Artillery; and Brigadier General John Bulus as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts.
New field commanders include Major General Saidu Audu, appointed Force Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena; Major General Warrah Idris, Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma; and Major General Oluremi Fadairo, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu, and Commander, Operation Udoka.
Additionally, Major General Olatokumbo Bello was named Director of Defence Media Operations, while Brigadier General Samaila Uba moves to Defence Headquarters as Director of Defence Information.
Lieutenant General Shaibu charged the newly appointed officers to apply their experience, administrative skills, and strategic insight to build a disciplined and combat-ready Army capable of addressing current and emerging security challenges. He urged them to sustain operational momentum, strengthen interagency collaboration, and uphold the Army’s values of loyalty, selfless service, integrity, and excellence.
