The Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, received the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs during a maiden courtesy visit to his office at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Ship House, Abuja.
The delegation included the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi O. Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major General W. Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke.
Building Cohesion and Strategic Alignment
The visit marked the first official engagement between the Defence Minister and the new military leadership following their appointments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s defence architecture.
In his remarks, Minister Badaru commended the Service Chiefs for their professionalism and pledged the Ministry’s unwavering support toward ensuring effective coordination among the Armed Forces. He emphasized the need for unity of purpose, strategic collaboration, and proactive leadership to address emerging security challenges across the country.
“Our priority is to strengthen synergy among the services, enhance joint operations, and ensure that our Armed Forces remain a cohesive and efficient instrument for national defence,” the Minister stated.
He further reiterated President Tinubu’s directive for a renewed approach to national security, driven by accountability, intelligence-led operations, and inter-agency cooperation.
Commitment to National Security and Defence Reforms
The Defence Minister underscored the administration’s determination to provide the necessary policy support, logistics, and welfare framework to boost the morale of officers and men in active service.
He also charged the newly appointed chiefs to focus on delivering measurable results that reflect the renewed trust and confidence of the Commander-in-Chief.
“The security and stability of Nigeria remain our collective responsibility,” he said. “We must work as one team — guided by discipline, innovation, and patriotism — to defend our nation’s sovereignty and secure its future.”
A Renewed Era of Leadership
The meeting served as a platform to review strategic priorities and reinforce the Ministry’s coordination role in policy direction, military readiness, and national defence planning.
The courtesy visit, observers noted, symbolizes the beginning of a new era of leadership and unity within Nigeria’s defence establishment, aimed at achieving greater effectiveness in safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and advancing peace and stability.
