President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Major General Waidi Shaibu as the 25th Chief of Army Staff (COAS), ushering in what the Presidency describes as a new era of strategic leadership and operational excellence in the Nigerian Army.
By Chimezie Godfrey
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Major General Waidi Shaibu as the 25th Chief of Army Staff (COAS), ushering in what the Presidency describes as a new era of strategic leadership and operational excellence in the Nigerian Army.
The new Army Chief succeeds Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, who has been elevated to the position of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
A statement announcing the appointment noted that Major General Shaibu’s emergence “reflects President Tinubu’s confidence in competence, character, and service distinction,” adding that the move aligns with ongoing efforts to reposition the Armed Forces for greater effectiveness and synergy.
Born on 18 December 1971 in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Major General Waidi Shaibu is a seasoned combatant and scholar with a solid academic foundation. He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1989 as a member of the 41 Regular Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps in 1994.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the NDA, a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, and advanced degrees including a Master’s in Public Administration (University of Calabar), Master’s in Strategic Studies (University of Ibadan), and a Master’s in Security and Strategic Studies (National Defence University, Washington D.C., USA).
In addition, the new Army Chief is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the National Productivity Centre’s Senior Executive Programme in Applied Leadership and Strategy.
Throughout his illustrious career, Major General Shaibu has held several command and strategic appointments across the Nigerian Army and beyond. These include General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Commander Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI, Chief of Training (Army), and Director of Coordination at the National Defence College.
He also served as Brigade Commander of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade in Bama, Chief Instructor at the Nigerian Army Armour School, and Chief of Staff at 23 Brigade, Yola.
A statement from Defence Headquarters described him as “a battle-hardened commander and strategic thinker whose operational footprint cuts across the nation’s major theatres of conflict.”
General Shaibu has participated in multiple military operations, including HARMONY, BOYONA, ZAMAN LAFIYA, LAFIYA DOLE, TURA TAKAIBANGO, HADIN KAI, DESERT SANITY, and LAKE SANITY. Internationally, he served with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and the African Mission in Sudan (AMIS).
In recognition of his gallantry and exemplary service, the Army Chief has been decorated with several honours, including the Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), Field Command Medal, Command Medal, the Distinguished Service Order (Liberia), and the prestigious Purple Heart Medal for bravery in combat operations.
As he assumes office, expectations are high that Major General Shaibu will inject renewed vigour into the Nigerian Army’s transformation drive. Defence analysts say his leadership style—anchored on discipline, professionalism, and innovation—will further strengthen joint operations and deepen the Army’s counter-insurgency posture.
“Major General Shaibu brings to the table a wealth of experience, academic depth, and operational foresight. His appointment signals continuity in reform and readiness for new strategic challenges,” a senior military source told Newsdiaryonline.
Married to Hajia Safiyyah Hassan, with two children, Haneef and Hafeeza, General Shaibu’s leadership is expected to consolidate the Army’s gains and drive new initiatives in intelligence-led warfare, defence technology, and human capacity development.