The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of its senior leadership, with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approving fresh appointments across key operational, command, training and staff positions to enhance operational effectiveness and strengthen national security.
The strategic redeployment, announced on Friday, affects several General Officers Commanding (GOCs), principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters, commanders of operational formations and heads of key military institutions. The appointments are part of ongoing efforts to consolidate the Army’s operational capacity, improve command efficiency and sustain its transformation drive.
Among the new appointments, Major General WM Dangana has been named the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, succeeding Major General EF Oyinlola. Major General EI Okoro has also been appointed GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, taking over from Major General EE Emeka.
Major General JR Lar has been appointed Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola assumes office as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri retains his position as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff.
In other operational postings, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been appointed Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu takes over command of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade. Major General SA Emmanuel has been named Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command, reflecting the Army’s growing emphasis on technology-driven operations and emerging domains of warfare.
The reshuffle also extends to the Defence Headquarters, where Major General O Adegbe has been appointed Director of Intelligence and Security.
Several key appointments were also made within the Army’s training and educational institutions. Major General KE Chigbu has been appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo becomes Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School. Major General SO Adejimi has been posted as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, and Major General FS Etim assumes duty as Chief of Training at Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA). Brigadier General U Ahmad has been appointed Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
In the housing and infrastructure sector, Major General KO Ukandu has been appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited (PHDL), while Major General AI Allison takes over as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
Addressing the newly appointed senior officers, Lieutenant General Shaibu urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the constitutional responsibilities of the Nigerian Army.
He charged the officers to remain focused on defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security across the country.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of effectively addressing current and emerging security challenges in line with Nigeria’s national security objectives.
