BREAKING : Major shake-up in Nigerian Army as COAS appoints new GOCs, others

Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has authorized a significant restructuring of senior roles within the Nigerian Army.

This was announced in a statement from the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu.

According to the statement, the reshuffle includes the appointment of new Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), General Officers Commanding (GOCs), operational commanders, and heads of key training institutions. These changes are designed to boost the operational capabilities and administrative effectiveness of the Army.

The COAS emphasized that the reshuffling reflects the Army’s commitment to maintaining a dynamic leadership framework that is adaptable to the evolving security landscape.

Notable appointments include Maj Gen L.A. Fejokwu, who transitions from the National Defence College to head the Department of Army Administration as Chief of Administration (Army); Maj Gen G.U. Chibuisi, moving from the Nigerian Army Resource Centre to the Department of Civil Military Affairs as Chief of Civil Military Affairs; and Maj Gen A.S. Ndalolo, also from the Resource Centre, taking over as Chief of Training (Army) in the Department of Army Training. Other significant changes involve Maj Gen O.S. Abai, now Chief of Transformation and Innovation, and Maj Gen J.H. Abdussalam, appointed Chief of Special Services and Programmes.

Several senior officers have been named as new General Officers Commanding (GOCs), including Maj Gen O.T. Olatoye, who takes over as GOC of 82 Division/Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) South East, and Maj Gen E.F. Oyinlola, who is now GOC 3 Division/Commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN. Acting appointments for Maj Gen A.G.L. Haruna and Maj Gen I.A. Ajose have also been confirmed.

Additionally, officers such as Maj Gen G.O. Adeshina and Maj Gen G.M. Mutkut have been redeployed to prominent roles, with Maj Gen M.C. Kangye appointed Director of Media Operations at Defence Headquarters.

The reshuffle extends to key corps leadership, with Maj Gen O.C. Ajunwa assuming command of the Nigerian Army Armour Corps, Maj Gen H.T. Wesley now heading the Ordnance Corps, and Maj Gen T.T. Numbere taking over the Engineers Corps.

Appointments to training institutions include Maj Gen J.O. Sokoya as Commandant of the Nigerian Army Training Centre, and Maj Gen U.M. Alkali as Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria. Other leadership positions include the appointment of Maj Gen I.E. Ekpenyong as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering.

The COAS has called upon all newly appointed officers to demonstrate unwavering dedication and focus in their roles, particularly in the ongoing battle against terrorism and insurgency, while prioritizing the well-being of the troops under their command.