On Thursday, 30 October, 2025, Major General Waidi Shaibu, assumed office as the 25th Chief of Army Staff COAS of the Nigerian Army with a pledge to consolidate and build on the remarkable legacies of his predecessor.
The handing and taking over ceremony between him and the outgoing COAS, and the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, was held at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
The ceremony featured the signing of the handing and taking over notes, decoration of the new Chief with the Army Headquarters insignia, inspection of the quarter guard and group photographs with principal staff officers and field commanders.
Speaking at the ceremony, General Shaibu, who vowed to synergy among security agencies and government institutions to strengthen national security, also assured that he would carefully review the current security situation and respond swiftly to evolving threats, emphasizing his commitment to improving operational efficiency and troop morale.
The new COAS commended Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for his outstanding leadership, mentorship and unwavering support to the Nigerian Army.
General Shaibu lauded the achievements of Gen Oluyede, particularly in the areas of equipment procurement, infrastructural development and the “Soldier First” concept, which prioritised troop welfare and operational readiness.
The new Army Chief, who saluted the courage, passion, resilience and discipline of the troops in the field and reaffrmed that their sacrifices remained the cornerstone of the collective success of the Service, also appreciated President Bola Tinubu for finding him worthy of the new position and promised to serve the Nation with all his abilities in ending the insurgency activities in the country.
Gen Oluyede, in valedictory remarks, expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and for the privilege to serve as COAS and now as CDS.
He commended the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, diligence and sacrifice in the discharge of their duties, urging them to extend the same loyalty and commitment to the new COAS.
“The mission remains the same — to ensure the security of lives and defend the territorial integrity of our nation,” Oluyede said.
The immediate past Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, earlier in his remarks, showered praise on the exemplary leadership of the outgone Chief, describing him as a selfless and visionary leader whose contributions to the Nigerian Army will be remembered by posterity.
