In a decisive move to reinvigorate leadership, strengthen command structures, and enhance operational effectiveness, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the posting and appointment of several senior officers to strategic command, staff, and instructional positions across formations, units, and training institutions of the Nigerian Army (NA).
Among the newly appointed officers, Major General Bamidele Alabi has been redeployed to the Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans as Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), while Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, formerly Chief of Special Services and Programmes at Army Headquarters, proceeds to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Operations. Major General Peter Mala moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Nigerian Army, as Commander.
Similarly, Major General Samson Jiya, who previously served at the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC), has been appointed Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget at Defence Headquarters.
Other strategic appointments include Major General Mayirenso Saraso, who moves from NAHFC to Army Headquarters Department of Operations as Chief of Operations (Army); Major General Isa Abdullahi from Defence Headquarters to the Army Headquarters Department of Administration as Chief of Administration (Army); and Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, now Chief of Civil-Military Affairs at Army Headquarters.
In related postings, Major General Abubakar Haruna has been appointed Commander, Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora; while Major General Philip Ilodibia moves to the Defence Space Administration as Chief of Defence Space Administration.
At the Corps level, Major General Godwin Mutkut, formerly at the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena, is now Corps Commander Infantry; Major General Umar Abubakar moves from the Ministry of Defence to command the Nigerian Army Armour Corps; Major General John Adeyemo takes over as Corps Commander Artillery; and Major General Mohammed Abdullahi becomes Corps Commander Signals.
Also appointed are Major General Taofik Sidick as Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army); Major General Abdullahi Ibrahim as Corps Commander Ordnance; Major General Adeyinka Adereti as Corps Commander Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; and Major General Nansak Shagaya as Corps Commander Supply and Transport. Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed assumes the role of Acting Corps Commander Education.
At the training institutions, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, formerly of Headquarters 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East (Operation UDO KA), has been appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna. Others include Major General Emmanuel Mustapha, now Commandant of the Nigerian Army Signal School; Major General Adamu Hassan, Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Artillery; and Brigadier General John Bulus, Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts.
Field command appointments include Major General Saidu Audu as Force Commander, MNJTF, N’Djamena; Major General Warrah Idris as Commander, Joint Task Force North West (Operation FANSAN YAMMA); and Major General Oluremi Fadairo as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division and Commander, Joint Task Force South East (Operation UDO KA).
Furthermore, Major General Olatokumbo Bello has been appointed Director, Defence Media Operations, at Defence Headquarters, while Brigadier General Samaila Uba moves from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, to Defence Headquarters as Director, Defence Information.
While congratulating the newly appointed senior officers, the COAS charged them to bring to bear their wealth of operational experience, administrative competence, and strategic foresight in driving a disciplined and combat-ready Army capable of decisively tackling emerging security challenges.
Lieutenant General Shaibu urged them to sustain operational momentum, deepen interagency collaboration, and uphold the Army’s core values of loyalty, selfless service, integrity, and excellence.
—APPOLONIA ANELE
Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Director, Army Public Relations
