Between 2015 and 2025, Nigeria witnessed a significant reshuffling of its military leadership, with over 500 senior officers—including Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, Rear Admirals, and Air Vice Marshals—being compelled into early retirement under the administrations of former President Muhammadu Buhari and his successor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This wave of retirements occurred despite the country’s ongoing battle with insurgent groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and various bandit factions.
The Military Shake-Up: Causes and Implications
The mass retirements were largely driven by the appointment of new service chiefs during both administrations. In July 2015, President Buhari initiated the first major reshuffle by appointing Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Chief of Naval Staff. This move led to the retirement of over 120 senior officers across the three services.
A subsequent wave occurred in 2021 when Buhari replaced the military leadership again, bringing in Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, the late Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo. This reshuffle resulted in the retirement of approximately 220 officers, including 123 Army generals. After Attahiru’s tragic death in a plane crash later that year, the appointment of Gen. Farouk Yahaya as Chief of Army Staff led to another round of retirements involving more than 20 generals.
Under President Tinubu, who assumed office in 2023, the trend continued. In June 2023, he appointed Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, and Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla as new service chiefs. This decision triggered the retirement of 51 Army generals, 49 senior Air Force officers, and 17 senior naval officers. The most recent reshuffle in October 2025, which saw the appointment of Gen. Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, led to the retirement of over 50 generals across the armed forces.
Criticism and Concerns
The frequent retirements have drawn criticism from various quarters. Retired military officers and experts have expressed concerns over the potential loss of experienced personnel and the impact on the military’s operational effectiveness. Some argue that the large number of generals is unsustainable and structurally flawed, citing that Nigeria had about 960 generals for just 235,000 personnel as of 2022. In comparison, the United States, with a military personnel strength of 1.3 million, has around 900 generals.
Additionally, there are allegations of corruption and partisanship among some of the retired officers. In 2016, 38 army officers were retired, with accusations of corruption and political bias. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has appealed to President Tinubu to reinstate these officers, arguing that they were unfairly dismissed without proper hearings.
Looking Ahead
As Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges, the government’s approach to military leadership remains a topic of debate. While the reshuffling aims to rejuvenate the armed forces, it also raises questions about the balance between maintaining discipline and retaining experienced personnel. The effectiveness of these leadership changes in addressing the country’s security issues will become clearer in the coming years.
Recent Developments in Nigeria’s Military Leadership
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