President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made significant changes to key positions within the government. The retiring service chiefs have been replaced, and a new Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has been appointed. Tinubu has also renamed Nuhu Ribadu as the National Security Adviser (NSA), who was previously serving as the Special Adviser on Security Matters. These appointments were officially announced by Willie Bassey, the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Furthermore, Hameed Ali, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, has been replaced. Maj.-Gen. C.G. Musa, the former Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, has taken over from Gen. Lucky Irabor as the Chief of Defence Staff. Maj.-Gen. T. A. Lagbaja has replaced Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya as the Chief of Army Staff, while Air Vice Marshal H. B. Abubakar has assumed the role of Chief of Air Staff, replacing Air Marshal Oladayo Amao. Rear Admiral E. A. Ogalla has replaced Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo as the Chief of Naval Staff. Maj.-Gen. EPA Undiandeye has been appointed as the new Chief of Defence Intelligence, replacing Maj.-Gen. S. A. Adebayo.
In addition, Kayode Egbetokun, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police representing the South West zone, has been appointed as the acting Inspector-General of Police, replacing Usman Baba. Adeniyi Adewale has been appointed as the Acting Comptroller General of Customs. However, these appointed officials will serve in acting capacities until their confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
President Tinubu has also made several other appointments within the military and government. These include the appointment of Col. Adebisi Onasanya as the Brigade of Guards Commander, Lt. Col. Moshood Abiodun Yusuf as the Commander of the 7 Guards Battalion in Asokoro, Abuja, and Lt. Col. Auwalu Baba Inuwa as the Commander of the 177 Guards Battalion in Keffi, Nasarawa State. Additionally, there have been appointments of other military officers in the Presidential Villa and the appointment of Hadiza Bala Usman and Hannatu Musa Musawa as Special Advisers, among others.
It is worth noting that these changes are expected to result in the retirement of over 20 senior military officers, following the tradition and customs of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The appointments have been viewed as balanced and reflective of federal character, according to a security and intelligence expert, Kabiru Adamu. However, the expert also emphasized the importance of implementing security sector reform and governance to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective monitoring and evaluation within the security sector