The Nigerian Armed Forces in a recently issued memo by the Defence Headquarters has called for the voluntary retirement of senior military officers, News About Nigeria gathered.
The directive, which was contained in a memo dated June 26 and signed by Maj.-Gen. Y. Yahaya on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, has prompted a reshuffling of personnel within the military hierarchy.
The memo, addressed to generals, brigadier generals, air vice marshals, and rear admirals in the three services, ordered officers with seniority on commission above that of Regular Course 39 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to submit their applications for voluntary retirement with immediate effect.
The objective behind this directive, as stated in the memo, is to preserve and uphold the tenets of the military profession, which prioritize hierarchy and service discipline.
The deadline for the voluntary retirement applications was set for today, July 3. As the cutoff approached, it was reported that all members of the 38 Regular Course of the NDA had already submitted their applications as directed.
However, some members of the 39 Regular Course of the NDA, except for those newly redeployed by the new service chiefs, also submitted their applications.
The implementation of this retirement directive is expected to create vacancies within the Nigerian Armed Forces, which will be filled through promotions.
More than 50 names of military officers from the Nigerian Army, navy, and air force, who hold the rank of brigadier generals and colonels, have been earmarked for promotion. These promotions will be considered by the Military Council Board once they convene and subsequently ratified.
Notably, the new development on promotion aligns with the membership of officers from Regular Course 43 of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Meanwhile, the current service chiefs, including Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff, are all members of the 39 Regular Course of the NDA.
The reshuffling and promotions within the Nigerian Armed Forces aim to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the military apparatus.
The voluntary retirement of senior officers will create opportunities for a fresh wave of leaders to step up and assume responsibilities at various formations of the armed forces in the country.
As the promotions and retirements unfold, there is anticipation surrounding the next steps for the newly appointed service chiefs. Their elevation is expected to bring changes in the rank structure, with Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff set to ascend to the positions of full general and lieutenant general, respectively.
Rear Admiral Ogalla is poised for promotion to vice admiral, and Air Vice Marshal Abubakar is slated to become an air marshal.
While the Defence Headquarters has taken the necessary steps to implement these changes, requests for comments or clarification from army spokesman Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, acting Director of Defence Information Brig.-Gen.
Tukur Gusau, and NAF spokesman Air Commodore Ayodele Famuyiwa remain unanswered. However, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the spokesman for the Nigerian Navy, clarified that the anticipated promotions of the service chiefs were in line with the customary promotions that occur when they assume office.
With the retirement of senior military officers and the subsequent promotions, the Nigerian Armed Forces are poised for a fresh chapter, as new leaders take up positions and strive to tackle the nation’s security challenges head-
