Tinubu Decorates Service Chiefs With New Ranks

President Bola Tinubu has decorated the newly appointed service chiefs with their new rank.

The decoration took place during a brief ceremony held on Thursday at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The new Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, formerly a Lieutenant General, was decorated with the rank of General.

The Chief of Army Staff, Wahidi Shaibu, moved from Major General to Lieutenant General, while the Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, was promoted from Rear Admiral to Vice Admiral.

The Chief of Air Staff, Kelvin Aneke, also received his new rank of Air Marshal after being elevated from Air Vice Marshal.

The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Undiendeye, who was retained in his role, was also promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.

[irp]

The wives of the service chiefs joined their husbands during the decoration ceremony.

The event was witnessed by several top government officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Others were the Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

President Tinubu appointed the new service chiefs — Olufemi Oluyede (Defence), Wahidi Shaibu (Army), Idi Abbas (Navy), and Kelvin Aneke (Air Force) — in October 2025.

KanyiDaily recalls that their appointments were confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday after a closed-door screening session that lasted about two hours.

[irp]