1. Chief of Army Staff
Major General Waidi Shaibu (N/9895) DSS DSO(LR) FTAM psc fdc(+) CM FCM FCMH MSS MA MNIM
Theatre Commander, JTF (NE) Operation HADIN KAI
Major General Waidi Shaibu was born on 18 December 1971 in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State. He gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 41 Regular Course in 1989 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Armour Corps on 17 September 1994.
Academic Qualifications
General Shaibu holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Nigerian Defence Academy (1993), a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Administration from GIMPA, Ghana, and Master’s Degrees in Public Administration (University of Calabar), Strategic Studies (University of Ibadan), and Security and Strategic Studies (National Defence University, Washington D.C., USA).
He is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Leadership for the 21st Century programme, holds an Advanced Executive Certificate in Applied Leadership and Strategy from the National Productivity Centre, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Strategic Studies at the University of Ibadan.
Military Training
The senior officer has attended numerous professional and leadership courses locally and abroad, including the Young Officers’ Courses (Armour and Infantry), Company Commanders’ Course, Senior Staff Course (Jaji), Defence Resources Management Course (Kenya), Higher Defence Management Course (NDC Abuja), and the Counter Terrorism Fellows Programme at the College of International Security Affairs, Washington D.C.
Operational Experience
General Shaibu has participated in several key operations, among them Operations HARMONY, BOYONA, ZAMAN LAFIYA, LAFIYA DOLE, TURA TAKAIBANGO, HADIN KAI, DESERT SANITY, and LAKE SANITY. His international service includes the African Mission in Sudan and the United Nations Mission in Liberia.
Appointments Held
He has served in diverse command, instructional, and staff capacities, including Platoon Commander 245 Recce Battalion, Chief Instructor at the Nigerian Army Armour School, Commander 21 Special Armoured Brigade, General Officer Commanding 7 Division, and Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI. He is currently the Director of Armour Research at the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Honours and Awards
His decorations include the Distinguished Service Star (DSS), Distinguished Service Order (LR), Foreign Training Assistance Medal (FTAM), Command Medal (CM), Purple Heart Medal, Field Command Medals (FCM/FCMH), General and Defence Operations Medals, and the Fellow of the National Defence College Dagger (+). He is a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (MNIM).
Personal Life
General Shaibu enjoys reading, early morning walks, and deep contemplation. He is married and blessed with children.
2. Chief of Naval Staff
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas (NN/1739)
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas was born on 20 September 1969 and hails from Kano State. A member of the 40th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, he was commissioned as a Midshipman on 18 September 1992 and rose through the ranks to become a Rear Admiral in 2020.
He has held several strategic appointments in the Nigerian Navy, notably as the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, where he recorded significant successes in curbing oil theft and maritime piracy.
Currently serving at the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Rear Admiral Abbas continues to contribute his vast operational and administrative experience toward enhancing inter-service cooperation and policy development for the Armed Forces.
He is a devoted Muslim, married, and blessed with children.
3. Chief of Air Staff
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke (NAF/2182)
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke was born on 20 February 1972 in Makurdi, Benue State. He hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. A member of the 40th Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1993.
Education and Training
He holds a BSc in Physics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (University of Calabar), a Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy (ABU Zaria), a Master’s in Political Economy and Development Studies (University of Abuja), and a PhD in view. He also earned a professional certificate in Aviation Safety Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida.
He has attended several professional courses, including training at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and the US Air War College, Air University, Montgomery, Alabama.
Appointments and Operational Experience
AVM Aneke has served as Commander 307 Executive Airlift Group Abuja, Director of Policy at NAF Headquarters, and Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He currently serves as the Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Yenagoa.
He has participated in numerous local and international operations, including Operation Restore Hope in the Niger Delta and the United Nations Mission in Congo (MONUC). A seasoned pilot, he is type-rated on multiple aircraft including the Dornier 228, Gulfstream V and 550, and Hawker 4000, with over 4,300 flying hours.
Personal Life
AVM Aneke is married to Mrs. Ngozi Enderline Aneke, and they are blessed with three sons. He enjoys flying, music, and movies.
4. Chief of Defence Intelligence
Major General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye (N/9563) GSS FCM TSM psc plsc fndu fdc ICTF MASSS MSc FCAI fnarc
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye was born on 2 September 1968 in Bedia, Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.
A graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (UK), General Undiandeye also trained at the National Defence University, Washington D.C., and the National Defence College, Abuja. He holds a BA (Hons) in History and an MA in Strategic Security Studies, and is an International Counterterrorism Fellow (ICTF).
He has served in various command and intelligence capacities including Chief of Staff, Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps; Director, Lessons Learnt (Army HQ); Director, Foreign Liaison (DIA); Director, Psychological Warfare (DHQ); and Commandant, Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji.
Internationally, he served in key roles within UN Missions in Liberia, New York, and Abyei. He assumed office as the 17th Chief of Defence Intelligence on 23 June 2023.
Awards and Honours
General Undiandeye holds the Grand Service Star (GSS), Defence Meritorious Star (DMS), Field Command Medal (FCM), and Training Support Medal (TSM). He is a Fellow of the National Defence University (USA), National Defence College (Nigeria), and the Chartered Institute of Administration.
He is married to Mrs. Jane Ekor Undiandeye, and they are blessed with three children. His hobbies include reading, golf, photography, and nature watching.
5. Chief of Defence Staff
Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede (N/9318) NAM CMH GSS psc mni FCM FCMH TSM COM CCA
Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, born on 21 June 1968 in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, is the 29th indigenous Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army. A member of the 39 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, he was commissioned into the Infantry Corps in 1992.
Education and Career
General Oluyede holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Economics from the Nigerian Defence Academy. He is an alumnus of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and has attended numerous professional military courses locally and abroad, including the United Nations Military Observers’ and Logistics Officers’ Courses.
Operational and Command Experience
His extensive service record spans several command and staff positions, including Commandant of the Amphibious Training School, Commander 27 Task Force Brigade, Commander Sector 2 Operation HADIN KAI, and General Officer Commanding 6 Division.
As Chief of Army Staff, he has demonstrated transformational leadership through improved troop welfare, acquisition of modern combat equipment, and operational restructuring of formations to meet emerging security challenges. His “Soldiers First” philosophy continues to shape his command approach.
Awards and Decorations
His decorations include the Nigerian Army Medal (NAM), Forces Service Star (FSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), Grand Service Star (GSS), Field Command Medals (FCM/FCMH), Corps Medal of Honour (CMH), and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award (CCA).
Personal Life
General Oluyede is married and blessed with children. His hobbies include travelling, basketball, and volleyball.
