Nigeria’s security system is still undergoing extraordinary dramatic changes. From replacing service chiefs to redeploying and reassigning over 40 senior military officers, President Bola Tinubu appears dissatisfied with the country’s deteriorating security condition
WITHIN NIGERIA discovered that President Tinubu, concerned about escalating insecurity as seen by recent killings in Kwara South and the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi and Niger, has launched a significant shake-up in the Ministry of Defence.
Recall that the Nigerian military had a dramatic shake-up across formations and units, resulting in the prompt retirement of three service chiefs: Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, General Christopher Musa, and Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
General Olufemi Oluyede, who was Chief of Army Staff, succeeded General Christopher Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff. Oluyede’s successor as Chief of Army Staff was Major General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke replaced Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abass replaced Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff. Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retained his position as Chief of Defense Intelligence.
Reliable sources told WITHIN NIGERIA that President Bola Tinubu sacked Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who was appointed as a defense minister on August 21, 2023, over repeated abduction cases and worsening insecurity in the country, with an option of resignation before the official announcement.
Badaru Abubakar, a former governor of Jigawa State, resigned from his position as Minister of Defence on December 1, 2025, citing health problems.
Barely 12 hours after Badaru Abubakar resigned as Defense Minister, President Bola Tinubu nominated Christopher Musa, a retired Chief of Defence Staff, to the Senate as a substitute.
The Senate on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, confirmed the appointment of Christopher Musa as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence.
However, an anonymous source told WITHIN NIGERIA that Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, will quit in January 2026.
According to the source, both defense ministers were expected to retire owing to the increasing security situation.
According to the insider, resigning two ministers at the same time would have been bad optics or caused political strife, which would have likely exacerbated the problem.
The insider, who claimed Bello Matawalle would be replaced in January 2026, stated that people have been covertly contacting the presidency about prospective replacements.
Another source indicated that Bello Matawalle, the former Zamfara governor, could be able to avoid the landmine that his principal, Badaru, fell into if insecurity is significantly reduced before January 2026.
The source revealed that Matawalle, through his political friends, has been contacting President Bola Tinubu for reconsideration, promising excellent and efficient performance of the Ministry’s primary missions if kept.
