In a decisive move to reinvigorate leadership, strengthen command structures, and enhance the Nigerian Army’s operational effectiveness, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the posting and appointment of several senior officers to key command, staff, and instructional positions across various formations, units, and training institutions.
According to a statement from Army Headquarters, the large-scale redeployment is part of ongoing efforts to reposition the service for improved performance in line with the strategic objectives of the Nigerian Army under the current leadership.
Among those affected by the new postings is Major General Bamidele Alabi, who has been appointed Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) at the Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans. Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, formerly Chief of Special Services and Programmes, now moves to the Defence Headquarters Department of Operations as Chief of Defence Operations, while Major General Peter Mala has been redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) as Commander.
Similarly, Major General Samson Jiya moves from the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Accounts and Budget, where he will serve as Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget.
Other key appointments include Major General Mayirenso Saraso, who moves from NAHFC to the Army Headquarters Department of Operations as Chief of Operations (Army); Major General Isa Abdullahi, from Defence Headquarters to the Department of Administration as Chief of Administration (Army); and Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, who has been redeployed to the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs as Chief of Civil-Military Affairs.
Also, Major General Abubakar Haruna moves from NAHFC to the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora, as Commander, while Major General Philip Ilodibia proceeds from the Department of Policy and Plans to the Defence Space Administration as Chief of Defence Space Administration.
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At the corps level, Major General Godwin Mutkut has been appointed Corps Commander Infantry at the Infantry Corps Centre, having been redeployed from the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in N’Djamena. Major General Umar Abubakar moves from the Ministry of Defence to the Nigerian Army Armour Corps as Commander Armour Corps, while Major General John Adeyemo transitions from the Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA) to serve as Corps Commander Artillery.
Similarly, Major General Mohammed Abdullahi has been redeployed from the Nigerian Army Cyberwarfare Command to the Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals as Corps Commander Signals.
Other appointments include Major General Taofik Sidick as Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army) at the Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps; Major General Abdullahi Ibrahim as Corps Commander Ordnance; Major General Adeyinka Adereti as Corps Commander Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; Major General Nansak Shagaya as Corps Commander Supply and Transport; and Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, who assumes office as Acting Corps Commander Education.
Appointments in Training Institutions
The COAS also approved new appointments for several military training institutions. Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, previously of Headquarters 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, is now the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.
In addition, Major General Emmanuel Mustapha moves from the Defence Space Administration to become Commandant of the Nigerian Army Signal School, while Major General Adamu Hassan, formerly of the Nigerian Defence Section in Riyadh, has been appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Artillery. Brigadier General John Bulus has been posted from the Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps to head the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts as Commandant.
The statement reaffirmed the Chief of Army Staff’s commitment to maintaining professionalism, discipline, and efficiency within the Nigerian Army, stressing that the redeployments are designed to ensure optimal performance across all commands and institutions.
Lieutenant General Shaibu urged the newly appointed senior officers to bring their wealth of experience to bear in their new roles and to remain dedicated to the defence of the nation and the fulfilment of the Nigerian Army’s constitutional responsibilities.
