Nigeria’s defence architecture has entered a new era with the appointment of a new team of service chiefs whose careers span decades of operational excellence, academic distinction, and leadership in both national and international theatres.
Their emergence marks a generational renewal in the Armed Forces of Nigeria, combining battlefield experience with strategic education from elite global institutions.
Okay News presents a detailed look at the five officers now at the helm of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defence Intelligence, tracing their journeys from cadet training to the highest rungs of command.
Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede – Chief of Defence Staff
Born on 21 June 1968 in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Lieutenant General O.O. Oluyede is a decorated Infantry officer whose career blends courage, intellect, and reform-minded leadership. A member of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (1987), he was granted Regular Combatant Commission in 1992 and has since risen to the apex of military service.
He holds both Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Economics from the Nigerian Defence Academy, attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), and is a Member of the National Institute (mni).
His professional training includes the Young Officers’ Course (Infantry), Regimental Signal Officers’ Course, Commanding Officers’ Course, UN Logistics Officers’ Course (Ghana), and UN Military Observers’ Course (Jaji), among others. He also completed the Junior and Senior Staff Courses at AFCSC Jaji and the Strategic Leadership Course (NDA).
Across more than three decades, General Oluyede has served as Platoon Commander, Company Second-in-Command, Officer Commanding 2 Amphibious Battalion, Senior Instructor at the NDA, Chief of Staff 13 Brigade, Commandant of Amphibious Training School, GOC 6 Division, Commander Infantry Corps, and ultimately Chief of Army Staff before assuming his current role as Chief of Defence Staff.
His operational record includes early peacekeeping under ECOMOG Liberia, Operation RESTORE HOPE, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, and Operation HADIN KAI. He distinguished himself in numerous anti-militancy and counter-terrorism operations, including leading successful engagements in the Niger Delta and North East that neutralised top insurgent commanders.
General Oluyede’s “Soldiers First” philosophy has led to sweeping welfare reforms: increased operational allowances, better accommodation, upgraded healthcare, and new recruitment depots such as the second Depot Nigerian Army in Osogbo. He has driven massive equipment refurbishments—MRAPs, night-vision devices, troop-lift vehicles, armoured fighting vehicles—while ensuring troops’ strict adherence to humanitarian laws and rules of engagement.
Decorations: Nigerian Army Medal (NAM), Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), Grand Service Star (GSS), Passed Staff Course (psc), Field Command Medal (FCM), Field Command Medal of Honour (FCMH), Training Support Medal (TSM), General Operations Medal (GOM), Corps Medal of Honour (CMH), Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award (CCA).
He is married and enjoys travelling, basketball, and volleyball.
Major General Waidi Shaibu – Chief of Army Staff
Major General Waidi Shaibu, born 18 December 1971 in Olamaboro LGA of Kogi State, is a scholar-soldier and one of the most academically decorated officers in Nigeria’s military. A product of the Nigerian Defence Academy 41 Regular Course (1989), he was commissioned into the Armour Corps on 17 September 1994.
He holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering (NDA 1993), Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (GIMPA Ghana), Master’s in Public Administration (University of Calabar), Master’s in Strategic Studies (University of Ibadan), and Master’s in Security and Strategic Studies (National Defense University, Washington D.C.). He is also an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School and is pursuing a PhD in Strategic Studies (U Ibadan).
His training covers nearly every major Army course: Young Officer Armour (1995), Infantry (1996), Company Amphibious Ops (1997), Junior Staff Course (Ghana 2001), Senior Staff Course (2005/2006), Battalion Commanders Course (2011), Higher Defence Management Course (2015/2016), and the Counter-Terrorism Fellows Programme (Washington DC, 2017).
Operationally, he has served in Operations HARMONY, BOYONA, ZAMAN LAFIYA, LAFIYA DOLE, TURA TAKAIBANGO, HADIN KAI, DESERT and LAKE SANITY, plus peacekeeping duties in Sudan and Liberia.
His appointments span Platoon Commander 245 Recce Battalion, ADC to GOC 3 Division, Chief Instructor Nigerian Army Armour School, Director Defence Administration, GOC 7 Division, Theatre Commander Operation HADIN KAI, and Director of Armour Research, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (since 22 April 2025).
Honours: Distinguished Service Star (DSS), Distinguished Service Order (DSO LR), Foreign Training Assistance Medal (FTAM), Pass Staff College (psc), Fellow National Defence College Dagger (+), Command Medal (CM), Purple Heart Medal, Field Command Medal (FCM), Field Command Medal of Honour (FCMH), General Operations Medal (GOM), Defence Operations Medal (DOM), and MNIM membership.
His hobbies include reading, early-morning walks, and deep contemplation. He is married with children.
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas – Chief of Naval Staff
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, born 20 September 1969 in Kano State, was commissioned as a Midshipman on 18 September 1992 under the 40th Regular Course and promoted Rear Admiral on 10 September 2020.
He gained prominence as Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command (Yenagoa, Bayelsa State), where he successfully curbed oil theft and sea piracy across the Niger Delta. His operational prudence earned him wide commendation within naval circles.
He currently serves at the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, contributing to inter-service policy frameworks for the Armed Forces. Known for discipline, balance, and maturity, Rear Admiral Abbas is widely regarded as one of the Navy’s most dependable strategic hands.
He is a devoted Muslim, married with children.
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke – Chief of Air Staff
Born 20 February 1972 in Makurdi, Benue State, to the family of Air Warrant Officer (rtd) Sylvester and Mrs Ngozi Aneke, AVM Sunday Kelvin Aneke hails from Udi LGA of Enugu State. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (40th Regular Combatant Course) in 1988 and was commissioned Pilot Officer on 10 September 1993.
He holds a B.Sc. in Physics, PGD in Management (UniCal), Master’s in International Affairs & Diplomacy (ABU Zaria), Master’s in Political Economy & Development Studies (UniAbuja), and PhD (in view). His professional certifications include Aviation Safety Management (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida) and Strategic Studies (U.S. Air War College, Montgomery, Alabama).
His career has seen him serve as Admin Officer, Aircraft Maintenance Depot Ikeja; Group Logistics Officer 301 FTS Kaduna; CO Base Services Wing, Air Maritime Group Benin; Staff Officer, UN MONUC Congo; Fleet Training Officer; Wing Chief Operations, Presidential Air Fleet; Commander 307 Executive Airlift Group; Director Policy, HQ NAF; Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy; and now Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command, Yenagoa.
AVM Aneke participated in Operation Restore Hope (Niger Delta 2004–2005), UN Mission Congo 2005–2006, and Operation Thunderstrike in North-West Nigeria. He is certified on Air Beetle 18, Dornier 228, Citation 500, Falcon 900, Gulfstream V, Gulfstream 550, and Hawker 4000, logging 4,359 flying hours with an Advanced Transport Pilot Licence.
Decorations: Grand Service Star (GSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), General Service Medal (GSM), Field Command Medal (FCM), Passed Staff Course (psc), USAF War College Certificate (USAFWC), MSc, MIAD, MPEDS.
He is married to Mrs Ngozi Enderline Aneke; they have three sons — Chukwuebuka Kelvin, Ifeanyi Chukwu Brian, and Uchechukwu Jason. He enjoys flying, music, and movies.
Major General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye – Chief of Defence Intelligence
Major General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye was born 2 September 1968 in Bedia, Obudu LGA, Cross River State, to Mr Sylvanus and Mrs Maria Undiandeye.
A graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (UK), he holds a B.A. (Hons) in History and M.A. in Strategic Security Studies. He is an International Counter-Terrorism Fellow (ICTF) from the National Defense University, Washington D.C., and an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Programme.
He attended the Nigerian Army College of Logistics, Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, National Defence University Washington D.C., National Defence College Abuja, and the International Intelligence Directors Course (Chicksands UK).
His key appointments include Chief of Staff HQ Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps, Director Foreign Liaison (Defence Intelligence Agency), Director Psychological Warfare (DHQ), Deputy Commandant (NAFRC), and Commandant Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji. Internationally, he has served as Deputy Chief Operations Officer (UNMIL), Deputy Chief of Assessments (UNHQ New York), and pioneer staff UNISFA (Abyei). He assumed command as 17th Chief of Defence Intelligence on 23 June 2023.
Decorations: Grand Service Star (GSS), Defence Meritorious Star (DMS), Defence Administration Medal (DAM), Field Command Medal (FCM), Training Support Medal (TSM), United Nations Headquarters Medal (2013). He is a Fellow of the National Defence College (fdc), National Defense University Washington (fndu), Chartered Institute of Administration (FCAI), International Institute of Professional Security (FIIPS), and Nigerian Army Resource Centre (FNARC).
He is married to Jane Ekor Undiandeye with three children and enjoys reading, golf, photography, and nature watching.
