…Troop welfare, synergy, and operational speed will define my tenure,” says Nigeria’s 25th COAS as Oluyede moves up to CDS
By Joy Odor, Abuja
A new era has dawned in the Nigerian Army as Major General Waidi Shaibu on Thursday formally assumed command as the 25th Chief of Army Staff (COAS), pledging to lead a force defined by discipline, rapid response, and renewed morale in tackling the nation’s evolving security challenges.
The change of Command, held at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, marked a seamless transition from Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, who now assumes duty as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
In his inaugural remarks, Major General Shaibu praised his predecessor for his “outstanding leadership, mentorship, and the Soldier First philosophy,” which he said placed the welfare and readiness of troops at the heart of Army operations.
“I salute the courage, passion, resilience, and discipline of our troops in the field. Their sacrifices remain the cornerstone of our collective success,” the new COAS declared.
He vowed to build on existing achievements by deepening inter-agency collaboration, reviewing the current security architecture, and delivering faster, intelligence-led military responses to emerging threats across the country.
“We will strengthen synergy with sister services and other security institutions to ensure a coordinated approach to national defence. I will prioritize troop welfare, operational efficiency, and the modernization of our capabilities,” Shaibu stated.
The new Army Chief expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for entrusting him with the responsibility to lead at such a pivotal moment.
He also led senior officers in observing a minute’s silence in honor of fallen soldiers who, he said, “paid the ultimate price for Nigeria’s peace and sovereignty.”
In his valedictory remarks, the outgoing COAS and new CDS, Lieutenant General Oluyede, thanked the President for his confidence and praised the men and women of the Nigerian Army for their loyalty and sacrifice.
“The mission remains the same to secure the lives of Nigerians and defend our territorial integrity,” Oluyede affirmed, urging troops to extend their loyalty to his successor.
Earlier, Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, former Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), lauded General Oluyede’s tenure as “visionary and selfless,” crediting him with major reforms in equipment procurement, infrastructure, and training that repositioned the Nigerian Army for modern warfare.
The ceremony featured the signing of handover notes, decoration of the new COAS with the Army Headquarters insignia, and inspection of the quarter guard, symbolizing a smooth transfer of command.
With General Shaibu at the helm, the Nigerian Army now steps into a new chapter, one anchored on speed, integrity, and mission focus, as he pledged to keep the force “willing, able, and ready” to defend the nation.
