The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of its senior leadership, executing sweeping changes across key operational, command, training, and staff appointments nationwide.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the strategic redeployments were approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.
The shake-up is designed to strengthen national security, improve combat readiness, and enhance the Army’s institutional capacity to address contemporary security dynamics.
The postings heavily impact field commanders, military school commandants, and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.
Under the new command structure, Major General WM Dangana has been named the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola. Similarly, Major General EI Okoro assumes duties as GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, succeeding Major General EE Emeka.
At the administrative and operational core, Major General JR Lar becomes the Commander of the Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola takes over as the Acting Military Secretary (Army). Moving to localized brigades, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been appointed Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade, and Brigadier General K Rabiu assumes command of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
Reflecting the military’s strategic pivot toward technology and emerging security threats, Major General SA Emmanuel has been appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command.
The statement noted that the creation and leadership of this post “reinforces the Army’s growing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-driven security operations.”
Concurrently, Major General O Adegbe shifts to Defence Headquarters as the new Director of Intelligence and Security.
The institutional overhaul also reshapes the training and military education sector. Major General KE Chigbu has been appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College; Major General SD Makolo becomes Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School; Major General SO Adejimi takes over as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport; and Major General FS Etim is named Chief of Training at the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army (TRADOC).
In addition, Brigadier General U Ahmad steps in as the Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
On the corporate and welfare front, Major General KO Ukandu was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison was named Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
Charging the newly reshuffled brass, the statement added: “The COAS charged the newly appointed senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian Army’s constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authority in maintaining peace and security across the nation.
“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its transformation drive and commitment to building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of effectively addressing contemporary and future security challenges in pursuit of Nigeria’s national security objectives.”
