Buhari appoints new NSA, Service Chiefs

President Muhammadu Buhari today appointed Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.) as new National Security Adviser and also named new service chiefs after sacking those he inherited from the last administration. 

                                          PMB

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina Maj.-Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin is the new Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. T.Y. Buratai is the new Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas is the new Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan is the new Chief of Defence Intelligence while Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar was appointed Chief of Air Staff.

Adesina said the new service chiefs will hold their appointments in an acting capacity until confirmed by the Senate. He quoted the President as thanking the outgoing Service Chiefs and National Security Adviser for their services to the nation and wished them well in their future endeavours.

The new National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Monguno (rtd.) was a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 21st Regular Course. Before his retirement from the Army, he held several command and staff appointments including Commander, Guards Brigade, Deputy Commandant, National Defence College, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Chief of Defence Logistics and Commander, Training and Doctrine Command.

The new Chief of Defence Staff, Olonishakin hails from Ekiti State and until his new appointment, he was the Head of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger State.

The new Chief of Army Staff, Buratai hails from Borno State and until his new appointment; he was the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force which has its headquarters in Ndjamena. He has previously served as Commander of the Nigerian Army’s 2nd Brigade in Port Harcourt and Commander of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State.

The new Chief of Naval Staff, Ibas hails from Cross River State. He enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 26th Regular Course in 1979 and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1983. 

His previous appointments include Naval Provost Marshal, Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command, Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters. Until his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Navy Holdings Limited.

The new Chief of Air Staff, Abubakar hails from Bauchi State. His previous appointments include Chief of Standards and Evaluation, NAF Headquarters; Chief of Defence Communications and Air Officer Commanding, NAF Training Command. Until his new appointment today as Chief of Air Staff, he was the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters.

The new Chief of Defence Intelligence, Morgan, hails from Benue State. He was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer in June, 1982. His previous appointments include Air Officer Commanding, NAF Logistics Command.