The Nigerian Army on Thursday witnessed a smooth transition of leadership as Major General Waidi Shaibu officially assumed duty as the 25th Chief of Army Staff (COAS). The event followed a colourful handing and taking-over ceremony between the outgoing COAS, now Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, and Major General Shaibu, held at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
In his maiden address, Major General Shaibu commended Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for his outstanding leadership, mentorship, and remarkable contributions to the development of the Nigerian Army. He particularly lauded the former COAS for his achievements in equipment procurement, infrastructural development, and the “Soldier First” initiative, which prioritized troop welfare and operational readiness.
The new Army Chief pledged to build upon the solid foundation laid by his predecessor, assuring that he would sustain the culture of professionalism, discipline, and dedication that have defined the Nigerian Army. He emphasized his commitment to enhancing inter-agency collaboration, strengthening operational capabilities, and improving the welfare and morale of officers and soldiers.
“I salute the courage, resilience, and discipline of our gallant troops across various theatres of operation. Their sacrifices remain the cornerstone of our collective success,” Major General Shaibu stated.
He expressed profound appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence reposed in him, promising to justify the trust through unwavering service and commitment to national security. The COAS also led senior officers in observing a minute silence in honour of fallen heroes.
In his valedictory remarks, the outgoing COAS and new Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, thanked President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and for the opportunity to serve. He commended officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication and professionalism, urging them to extend the same loyalty and commitment to his successor.
“The mission remains the same — to defend the territorial integrity of our nation and safeguard the lives of our citizens,” he affirmed.
Earlier, the immediate past Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, hailed the leadership qualities of the outgoing COAS, describing him as a selfless, visionary, and transformational leader whose tenure significantly advanced the operational efficiency of the Nigerian Army.
The ceremony featured the signing of handing and taking-over notes, the decoration of the new COAS with Army Headquarters insignia, inspection of the quarter guard, and a group photograph session with principal staff officers and field commanders.