President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a stern directive to the newly appointed service chiefs, charging them to deliver decisive victories against terrorism, banditry, and all forms of criminality across the country, declaring that Nigerians “expect results, not excuses.”
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during the official decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs, President Tinubu emphasized that the time for explanations has passed, and that only tangible outcomes will justify the trust placed in the nation’s military leadership.
“This country has been at war with terror and organized criminal groups for far too long. Nigerians expect results, not excuses,” Tinubu stated, urging the military hierarchy to adopt innovative, preemptive, and technology-driven approaches in their operations. He added that the safety and security of citizens remain central to his administration’s agenda.
The newly decorated service chiefs include General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Major General Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
President Tinubu, who was flanked by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Honorable Minister of Finance Mr. Wale Edun, assured the officers of the Federal Government’s full support in providing the resources and logistics necessary to prosecute the war against insecurity.
He noted that new armed groups have begun to emerge in the North-West, North-Central, and parts of the South, threatening peace and stability. “You must not only respond but anticipate. Deploy technology, improve intelligence sharing, and lead from the front. There is no room for complacency,” the President told the officers.
Tinubu further paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces, acknowledging that many soldiers have paid the supreme price in defense of the nation. “Their sacrifices will not be in vain,” he vowed, stressing the government’s determination to ensure that security personnel are well equipped, trained, and motivated.
The new Chief of Defence Staff, General Oluyede, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, pledged absolute loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief and promised to translate the presidential directive into actionable strategies aimed at restoring national peace and unity.
Security analysts have described President Tinubu’s charge as both symbolic and strategic, marking a new phase in Nigeria’s war against insurgency and banditry. They noted that the President’s emphasis on innovation and accountability reflects his administration’s frustration with the protracted nature of Nigeria’s security challenges, which have persisted since 2009.
As the newly appointed service chiefs settle into their roles, Nigerians will be watching keenly to see whether Tinubu’s “no excuses” mantra will mark a turning point in the nation’s long fight against insecurity—or merely another promise in a series of failed expectations.