President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday decorated the newly appointed service chiefs with their official ranks in a colourful ceremony held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The event, which started shortly after 2 p.m., was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, top government officials, senior military officers, lawmakers, and family members of the newly decorated chiefs.
Dressed in their full service uniforms, the four officers – General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shuaib as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff were formally decorated by the President, assisted by the Vice President and the officers’ spouses. The event symbolized not just a change of ranks, but a renewal of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening national security.
The ceremony followed the Senate’s confirmation of the nominees on Wednesday after a rigorous two-hour closed-door screening session. During the session, senators questioned the officers on their plans to combat insecurity and foster cooperation among the armed forces.
President Tinubu, in his earlier communication to the Senate, had urged swift confirmation, stressing the need “to ensure continuity in the nation’s security leadership.”
According to reports, the atmosphere during the event was filled with both pride and solemnity, as the decorated officers pledged to uphold their duties faithfully. For Tinubu, the occasion was a key moment in his administration’s effort to reshape Nigeria’s security architecture.
In his address, President Tinubu charged the new service chiefs to confront emerging security threats with courage and innovation. “Today’s ceremony goes beyond the symbolism of decoration,” he said.
“It marks the beginning of our renewed effort to ensure the peace and security of all Nigerians. Each of you has been carefully selected for this critical task. Security is the foundation upon which every other element of governance depends. Without it, everything else becomes meaningless.”
He reminded the officers that Nigerians were looking to them for results, not excuses, urging them to prove their leadership through action. “Our people must remain secure to enjoy the benefits of governance,” he added.
The President’s remarks were both motivational and stern, setting a tone of urgency. Drawing attention to the nation’s ongoing battle with insurgents and armed groups, Tinubu declared, “We must not allow these threats to fester. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head before they grow. Nigerians expect results, not excuses. We are in a hurry to celebrate peace.”
He also acknowledged the courage of Lieutenant-General Shuaib, who sustained injuries in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, saying, “I understand you were injured; you recuperated. I saw the stories and clips online of Operation Hadin-Kai. All of you, working together as a team, have made the country proud.”
Tinubu further praised the Nigerian military for reclaiming territories once held by terrorists and rescuing countless victims of abductions. However, he emphasized that despite these achievements, the battle for peace was far from over. “Security threats are constantly evolving and mutating,” he warned. “Of grave concern is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South. We must act swiftly and decisively.”
He then charged the service chiefs to deploy technology-driven strategies, enhance intelligence sharing, and foster joint operations across the armed forces. “Be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Deploy technology where necessary. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer. It is time to defeat the enemies,” he said firmly.
The President assured the officers of his administration’s unwavering support, promising to provide all necessary resources to ensure success in the fight against insecurity. “Work with other security agencies to defeat this enemy once and for all,” he urged. “We need to clean them up and clear them out. I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done.”
Tinubu also underscored the importance of collaboration between the military and other national security institutions, emphasizing that effective communication and shared intelligence were crucial to success. He reiterated his administration’s goal of building a modern, well-coordinated, and responsive military structure capable of addressing Nigeria’s diverse security challenges.
As the ceremony drew to a close, Tinubu paid tribute to the resilience and patriotism of Nigeria’s armed forces, describing them as the “shield of the nation.” He said, “Our military has remained steadfast in defending our territorial integrity. In dark times, when terrorists and armed marauders occupied parts of our land, our gallant armed forces rose to the challenge and reclaimed those territories. I sincerely appreciate your sacrifices as your Commander-in-Chief.”
The event, coming barely a week after the President’s second major military reshuffle since assuming office, also followed reports dismissing rumours of a coup plot.
According to the Presidency, the changes were meant to “inject new direction and vitality into the nation’s security system.” As the newly decorated chiefs took their oaths, the message from Tinubu was clear it was time to act, innovate, and secure the nation’s peace once and for all.