Massive shake-up in Nigerian Army as COAS redeploys GOCs, top commanders (FULL LIST)
The Nigerian Army has announced a sweeping reshuffle of its senior officers.
The restructuring affects several General Officers Commanding (GOCs), brigade commanders, school commandants, and principal staff officers across various military formations and institutions.
The mass redeployment was approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.
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According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the shake-up is part of the military’s ongoing strategy to enhance national security, optimize operational capacity, and tackle evolving security threats across the country.
New GOCs and field command appointments
The strategic realignment introduces fresh leadership to key army divisions and operational theatres across the federation:
- Major General WM Dangana – Appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division Nigerian Army, and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (takes over from Major General EF Oyinlola).
- Major General EI Okoro – Assumes duty as GOC, 6 Division Nigerian Army, and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE (succeeds Major General EE Emeka).
- Major General JR Lar – Appointed Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison.
- Brigadier General IB Buhari – Takes over as Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade.
- Brigadier General K Rabiu – Named Commander, Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
Strategic, Administrative, and Space Command Postings
Reflecting the military’s modern pivot toward technology-driven warfare and administrative efficiency, the following appointments were made:
- Major General SA Emmanuel – Appointed Commander of the newly vital Nigerian Army Space Command, signaling a reinforced focus on emerging domains of warfare.
- Brigadier General OM Oyekola – Named Acting Military Secretary (Army).
- Major General O Adegbe – Appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at the Defence Headquarters.
- Brigadier General I Waziri – Retains his position as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.
Institutional and training formations
To strengthen military education, doctrine, and grassroots training, the COAS approved new leadership for several army schools and academies:
- Major General KE Chigbu – Appointed Deputy Commandant, National Defence College.
- Major General SD Makolo – Named Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School.
- Major General SO Adejimi – Assumes office as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport.
- Major General FS Etim – Appointed Chief of Training at the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).
- Brigadier General U Ahmad – Appointed Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
Postings to military-owned business corporations
The redeployment also touched the corporate and developmental arms of the Nigerian Army:
- Major General KO Ukandu – Appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Post Housing Development Limited.
- Major General AI Allison – Named Managing Director, Defence Properties Limited.
COAS charges new appointees on professionalism
Speaking on the deployments, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them. He urged them to demonstrate exemplary leadership, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the military’s constitutional mandate.
“The newly appointed senior officers must remain professional in defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity, and robustly supporting civil authorities to maintain peace and security nationwide,” the COAS stated.
The Army statement concluded by reiterating its resolve to build a highly professional, combat-ready, and people-oriented force capable of confronting contemporary and future security challenges in alignment with Nigeria’s national security goals.
