Expectations among Nigerians are running high as newly appointed service chiefs assume control of the nation’s security apparatus.
Amid escalating insecurity across the country — fueled by the activities of Boko Haram insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and other non-state actors on Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu announced the appointment of new service chiefs last week.
The development comes at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened possible military intervention in Nigeria over alleged genocidal attacks on Christians.
Nigerians expect that the new Service Chiefs would carry out a total reorganisation at the tactical and operational levels of the ongoing counter-insurgency war in the Northeast and activities of other non-state actors across the country.
The Nation reports that the president named former Chief of Army Staff Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing Christopher Musa.
In the same vein, W. Shaibu takes over as the new Chief of Army Staff; SK Aneke takes over as Chief of Air Chief, while I. Abbas is the new Naval Chief but E.A.P Undiendeye remains unchanged as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Various stakeholders have expressed optimism about the potential for improved security outcomes for Nigerians. This is as the new Service Chiefs are expected to work closely with the president and other government officials to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
The Pan African United Development Network, PAUDEN, described the appointment as a strategic step to enhance national defense capabilities and foster professionalism within the Armed Forces.
It stated that the new leadership will drive forward Nigeria’s security objectives, promoting stability and progress.
The International Human Rights Commission, IHRC, said that the recent sack of Nigeria’s service chiefs has sent mixed feelings across the North, as many people in the region are watching closely to see whether the replacements will reflect fairness and balance.
The Country Director of IHRC, Captain Abdullahi Adamu (retd) described the President’s decision as both political and strategic.
Adamu noted that while it signals readiness to make tough decisions, it also raises deeper questions about political motives and internal power struggles.
“In my opinion, the recent sack of the security chiefs may have been influenced by several factors. Officially, it could be linked to the government’s desire for improved performance and new strategies to address persistent insecurity,” he said.
A security consultant, Bulama Bukarti, expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to reshuffle the service chiefs, stressing that the President’s action was timely and necessary protection on Nigerians.
Bukarti said, “When you have looked at what has happened in Nigeria’s security landscape over the past year or two, then you would realise that change of leadership is long overdue.
“Boko Haram, for instance, is residing in the northeastern part of Nigeria. Tinubu’s government and the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, before he left office in the last few years of his presidency, did very well in weakening Boko Haram, dismantling, dislodging and pushing them.
Invariably, some retired Military Generals in the country reacted to the sack of service chiefs, suggesting diverse reasons for the president’s action.
While some welcomed the new development as a correction of the misnomer of the past administration of keeping service chiefs for more than two years, others argued that such changes are necessary when there’s a perceived need to address ongoing security challenges and introduce fresh strategies, or align with the administration’s goals to help Nigerians..
A former Director of Peacekeeping Operations with the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Anthony Atolagbe (retd) said that the recent reshuffle of service chiefs by President Bola Tinubu will generate excitement within the military.
General Atolagbe said, “I think there will be some excitement in the Armed Forces because of this new redeployment.
“It is going to make the military align properly with its procedures, or the necessary steps that need to be taken in the career progression of officers.
“The reason is very simple. This is in line with the condition of service that service chiefs should spend two years and at the discretion of the president perhaps he can give some additional time.”
Also reacting, Rear Admiral Dickson Olisemelogor (retd), said the shake-up was both necessary and timely, stressing that results would only come if the military was granted full operational freedom.
“The rejig is okay, based on the perception of the President. He is the one working directly with them and he knows why he changed them. The new Naval and Army Chiefs have both been in operations for a very long time.
“They are experienced officers who have served in various internal security operations across the country. We pray the new team will be given a free hand to act,” he said.
On his part, Executive Director of Rule of Law and Accountability Centre, RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said changes in service leadership were within the President’s constitutional prerogative and can signal a desire to reinvigorate security operations for Nigerians.
“However, beyond symbolism, what matters is whether the new service chiefs will bring fresh strategy, integrity, and accountability to the fight against insecurity,” he stated.
According to the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the service chiefs were changed because the president was concerned about how the security situations were being of Nigerians will be addressed.
He said, “I would say it’s a routine change. The President is concerned about the way the security situation is being addressed and he feels that it’s time to have some new people in-charge.”
The Nation reports that President Tinubu, while decorating the new service chiefs, charged them not to leave any stone unturned in the country’s battle against insecurity, stressing that Nigerians expect results and not excuses.
“I charge you, as the heads of our nation’s armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal. Nigerians expect results, not excuses,” he said.
Speaking to The Nation, a security analyst and former Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Sani Usman (retd), said the new service chiefs should be given the benefit of doubt.
“If you have watched their screening, it would give you hope that they have a firm and fair understanding to deal with the security challenges.
“Their performance is subjective to so many things, for example the issue of funding and strategic direction.
“Then of course given the way they started particularly in the Nigerian Army, you will understand that they will hit the ground running. So, let’s give them the benefit of doubt, I believe they will deliver,” he said.
Also speaking on the service chiefs reshuffle, a security analyst, Mike Ejiofor, stated that it is the prerogative of the president to do so.
“It is the constitutional right of the president to appoint, to hire and fire. Don’t also forget that these service chiefs have spent two years.
“Even though they were doing very well (not that we don’t have challenges), especially the outgone Chief of Defense Staff, Christopher Musa, who almost became a rally point for all the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
“I also want to believe that the incoming service chiefs will consolidate on the efforts of the previous service chiefs,” he said.
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