From left: Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the president’s audience with the new Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, met with the newly appointed service chiefs in a closed-door session at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Those present at the meeting were the new Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke; and Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas. Also in attendance was the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye, who retained his position.

The security chiefs arrived together at the State House in a black Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van around 4 p.m. The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, lasted about 40 minutes.

Their appointment was announced on Friday through a statement from the Presidency, which described the move as part of a “strategic realignment aimed at deepening professionalism, boosting morale, and enhancing inter-agency coordination in national security operations.”

Although no official statement was issued after Monday’s meeting, sources said discussions likely focused on the country’s pressing security challenges and the chiefs’ immediate operational priorities ahead of their formal assumption of office and Senate confirmation.

It was also gathered that some of the newly appointed service chiefs are expected to assume duty today (Tuesday). The outgoing Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, is scheduled to hand over to Rear Admiral Idi Abbas at 8 a.m.