President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Major General Waidi Shaibu as Nigeria’s new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) following the dismissal of the nation’s top military chiefs on Friday, October 24, 2025. The appointment marks a major shake-up within the Armed Forces as the administration moves to strengthen national security and operational efficiency.
Before his elevation, Maj. Gen. Shaibu served as the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) — the military’s flagship counterinsurgency operation in Nigeria’s North-East. In that role, he oversaw critical campaigns against insurgent groups and was widely commended for his strategic leadership and results-driven approach.
Born on December 18, 1971, in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Shaibu began his military career when he was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1989 as part of the 41st Regular Course. He was commissioned into the Armour Corps in 1994, beginning a career that has spanned more than three decades of service to the Nigerian Army.
Throughout his career, Maj. Gen. Shaibu has held several key command and staff positions, contributing to operations that strengthened Nigeria’s internal security and regional stability. His leadership at Operation Hadin Kai was particularly noted for enhancing coordination between ground and air forces and for prioritizing the welfare of frontline troops.
As Chief of Army Staff, Shaibu is expected to focus on modernizing the Army, enhancing counterterrorism capabilities, and strengthening civil-military relations.
His appointment comes at a time when Nigeria faces multiple security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, and emerging regional threats — issues that will test his experience and resolve in the months ahead.
