The Nigerian Army has announced a sweeping redeployment of senior officers, introducing new appointments across operational commands, training institutions, and headquarters as part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve operational effectiveness.
The changes, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, affect General Officers Commanding, brigade commanders, commandants, and principal staff officers. According to the Army, the Nigerian Army reshuffle is aimed at enhancing leadership capacity and addressing emerging security challenges across the country.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
Among the appointments, Major General WM Dangana has been named the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, succeeding Major General EF Oyinlola. Major General EI Okoro has also been appointed General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, replacing Major General EE Emeka.
The Army further announced the appointment of Major General JR Lar as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola assumes office as Acting Military Secretary. Brigadier General I Waziri retains his position as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff. To strengthen field operations, Brigadier General IB Buhari was appointed Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu will lead Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
The Nigerian Army reshuffle also reflects increasing attention to technology-driven security operations. Major General SA Emmanuel has been appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command. According to the statement, the appointment “reinforces the Army’s growing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-driven security operations.”
Major General O Adegbe was named Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters. In the area of military education, Major General KE Chigbu becomes Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo takes over as Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School.
Other appointments include Major General SO Adejimi as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Major General FS Etim as Chief of Training at Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), and Brigadier General U Ahmad as Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
The reshuffle also places Major General KO Ukandu as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison becomes Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
The Chief of Army Staff charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence placed in them through professionalism, innovation, and effective leadership.
“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 Army added that the Nigerian Army reshuffle forms part of its broader transformation agenda aimed at building a highly professional, combat-ready, and people-oriented force capable of responding effectively to current and future security challenges. Security analysts say strategic leadership changes within the military remain an important component of strengthening operational coordination and adapting to Nigeria’s evolving security environment.
