The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of its senior officers, with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, approving the posting and appointment of key personnel to command, staff, and instructional positions. The move aims to revitalize leadership, strengthen command structures, and enhance operational effectiveness across the service.
According to the Army Headquarters, the exercise affects several Major Generals and Brigadier Generals in strategic positions. Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi has been redeployed to the Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans as Chief of Policy and Plans, while Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdulsalam will proceed to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Operations. Maj.-Gen. Peter Mala has been moved from the Office of the National Security Adviser to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command as Commander.
Other notable appointments include Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso as Chief of Operations, Maj.-Gen. Isa Abdullahi as Chief of Administration, and Maj.-Gen. Musa Etsu-Ndagi as Chief of Civil-Military Affairs. Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Haruna has been appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Training Centre, while Maj.-Gen. Philip Ilodibia will head the Defence Space Administration.
The reshuffle also affects corps commanders, with Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mutkut becoming Corps Commander Infantry, Maj.-Gen. Umar Abubakar leading the Armour Corps, and Maj.-Gen. John Adeyemo heading the Artillery Corps. Maj.-Gen. Taofik Sidick has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Finance Corps, while Maj.-Gen. Abdullahi Ibrahim becomes Corps Commander Ordnance.
At the training institutions, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye has been appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, while Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Mustapha will lead the Nigerian Army Signal School. The COAS has also appointed Maj.-Gen. Saidu Audu as Force Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force and Maj.-Gen. Warrah Idris as Commander of the Joint Task Force North West.
The newly appointed officers have been charged with bringing their experience and strategic foresight to bear in advancing a disciplined and combat-ready army capable of confronting contemporary security challenges. They are expected to sustain operational momentum, strengthen interagency collaboration, and uphold the army’s core values of loyalty, selfless service, integrity, and excellence. The reshuffle is seen as a significant move to enhance the Nigerian Army’s effectiveness in addressing the country’s security challenges.