Defence Headquarters Nigeria (2026)

01/09/2026

August Wrap

31/08/2026

LIVE SOON: The Defence Media Operations Press Briefing is starting shortly on DefenceTV-Nigeria. Tune in at 1600hrs on X @ Defence HQ Nigeria and Facebook @ Defence Headquarters Nigeria, for official updates on ongoing security operations across the nation.

31/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE
CDS PLEDGES STRONGER NIGERIA–BANGLADESH DEFENCE PARTNERSHIP

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has pledged to strengthen defence cooperation between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, with particular emphasis on training and capacity development.

General Oluyede made the commitment on Thursday, 27 August 2026, when the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria, His Excellency Miah Md. Mainul Kabir, paid a courtesy visit to the CDS at the Defence Headquarters.

The CDS appreciated the High Commissioner for the visit and underscored the importance of sustaining and expanding existing areas of defence cooperation between both countries. He particularly highlighted the need to enhance training programmes and professional exchanges aimed at improving the capacity, competence and operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Earlier, the High Commissioner expressed Bangladesh’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Nigeria, stressing his country’s readiness to pursue closer collaboration in key areas, including agriculture, defence and security.
He noted that stronger institutional and professional ties between the armed forces of both countries would contribute significantly to addressing emerging security challenges and promoting mutual interests.

General Oluyede commended the Government and people of Bangladesh for their continued goodwill and commitment to strengthening relations with Nigeria. He expressed confidence that the engagements would yield concrete outcomes and further consolidate the longstanding bilateral ties and defence cooperation between the two countries.

SAMAILA UBA
Major General
Director, Defence Information
27 August 2026

27/08/2026

DHQ DEBUNKS AI-GENERATED VIDEO TARGETING CDS

The Defence Headquarters has observed the circulation of a fabricated AI-generated video purporting to show the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, making statements suggesting partisan political support.

The Defence Headquarters wishes to state unequivocally that the video is fake and did not emanate from the Chief of Defence Staff. The statements attributed to the CDS in the video are false and should be completely disregarded.

The video is a product of Artificial Intelligence-generated manipulation, apparently designed to deceive and mislead the public, misrepresent the position of the Chief of Defence Staff and bring the Armed Forces of Nigeria into disrepute.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains a professional, apolitical and non-partisan institution, committed to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the defence of the nation.

The Defence Headquarters strongly condemns the deliberate creation and circulation of the fake video and warns those behind such acts, as well as persons knowingly amplifying the material to desist forthwith.

Members of the public are therefore urged to disregard the video and rely only on information released through official Defence Headquarters channels.

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SAMAILA UBA
Major General
Director, Defence Information
27 August 2026

26/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE
CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO VETERANS’ WELFARE, ENGAGES RETIRED SERVICE OFFICERS

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to the welfare, dignity and continued relevance of Nigeria’s military veterans.

General Oluyede gave the assurance when the National President of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers Association, Major General Hussaini Abayomi Salihu (Rtd), paid a courtesy visit to him at Defence Headquarters, Abuja, on Wednesday, 26 August 2026.

The visit provided an opportunity for the leadership of the association to formally engage the CDS, who is also the Chief Patron of the association and to strengthen the relationship between the DHQ and the community of retired military officers.

Speaking during the visit, Major General Salihu said the delegation was at Defence Headquarters principally to familiarise itself with the CDS following the assumption of office of the new EXCOs and to foster closer engagement with DHQ. He expressed appreciation to the CDS for the warm reception accorded the delegation and commended the CDS for the deliberate and sustained engagement with veterans across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The National President also appreciated the President C-in-C of the Armed Forces of Nigeria(AFN), His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu for improving the welfare of members of the AFN, particularly the current increase in salaries of serving personnel and the consequential adjustments for retired personnel. Major General Salihu further presented a number of requests further aimed at strengthening the welfare and socio-economic relevance of retired military personnel. Among the requests was the establishment of a comprehensive database of members of the association. He explained that such a database would facilitate access to qualified and experienced retired officers whenever companies and organisations require their expertise and services.

In his response, the Chief of Defence Staff General OO Oluyede GCOR thanked members of the association for their service and sacrifices to the nation, stressing that their contributions to Nigeria’s security and development remain appreciated. He also expressed his determination to discharge his responsibilities as Chief Patron of the association and assured the veterans of his commitment to working with them to address issues affecting their welfare within the extant policy and institutional frameworks.

Addressing concerns regarding salary increments and their implications for veterans, the CDS assured the retired officers that the ongoing exercise is comprehensive and inclusive. He explained that implementation is already underway and reaffirmed that, in line with extant government policies, adjustments to the emoluments of serving personnel have consequential implications for the pensions and benefits of veterans.

The CDS further highlighted several initiatives being undertaken by the Defence Headquarters to improve the quality of life of veterans and their families. One of such initiatives is the ongoing collaboration between the DHQ and the Bank of Industry (BOI) to facilitate access to low-interest loans for business enterprises. The initiative is designed to support serving and retired military personnel as well as their families, in establishing and expanding sustainable businesses. He noted that the initiative forms part of broader efforts by the DHQ to promote economic empowerment, self-reliance and improved welfare among military personnel and veterans.

The CDS assured the delegation that the DHQ would continue to explore practical measures and partnerships capable of improving the welfare of veterans, recognising that those who served the nation deserve sustained institutional support and dignity in retirement.

The engagement underscores the Defence Headquarters’ commitment to maintaining a strong and enduring bond with the nation’s veterans, while ensuring that their welfare remains an important component of the military’s institutional priorities.

SAMAILA UBA
Major General
Director, Defence Information
26 August 2026

26/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE
NIGERIA, SAUDI ARABIA DEEPEN DEFENCE COOPERATION AS AMBASSADOR VISITS DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS

The Defence Headquarters today received the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria His Excellency Yousef bin Mohammed Al-Balawi on a courtesy visit aimed at further strengthening the longstanding bilateral relationship and defence cooperation between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The visit provided an opportunity for both sides to reaffirm their commitment to deepening military-to-military relations and exploring additional areas of cooperation that are mutually important.

During the engagement, the Chief of Defence Staff General OO Oluyede welcomed the Ambassador and expressed appreciation for the visit, noting the importance attached by Nigeria to its relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He emphasised the need to sustain and expand existing channels of cooperation, particularly in areas that would enhance the professional capacity and operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The Ambassador, His Excellency Yousef bin Mohammed Al-Balawi in his remarks, expressed his desire to further strengthen relations between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, describing Nigeria as an important partner in Africa. He reiterated the Kingdom's readiness to support closer engagement and cooperation between both countries, particularly in the defence and security sectors. Both sides acknowledged that stronger institutional and professional links between the two countries' armed forces would contribute to improved cooperation in addressing common security challenges.

The Chief of Defence Staff appreciated the Ambassador for the continued goodwill of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia towards Nigeria and expressed optimism that the discussions would translate into tangible areas of cooperation.

The visit underscores the commitment of Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to strengthening their bilateral partnership and advancing shared interests in peace, security and stability.

SAMAILA UBA
Major General
Director, Defence Information
26 August 2026

24/08/2026

CDS ATTENDS NATIONAL DEFENCE COLLEGE GRADUATION LECTURE

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, attended the graduation lecture of the National Defence College, Abuja, delivered by former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

The lecture, themed “Harnessing Industrial Capacity for Inclusive Growth and Regional Stability in Africa,” underscored the strategic importance of industrial development, economic inclusion and regional stability in strengthening Africa’s resilience and prosperity.

The CDS’s participation reflects the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to intellectual engagement, strategic leadership and national development.

24/08/2026

Rough Men Stand Guard at Night so that Others may Sleep Safely in their beds...George Orwell

20/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE
CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF ENGAGES VETERANS IN NORTH EAST GEOPOLITICAL ZONE, HIGHLIGHTS WELFARE INITIATIVES

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to the welfare and dignity of Nigeria’s veterans.

General Oluyede gave the assurance today, Thursday, 20 August 2026, during an interactive engagement with the veterans from the North East Zone in Yola, Adamawa State. The engagement was the second in a series of scheduled zonal consultations with veterans across the country.

Addressing concerns over salary increment, the CDS assured the veterans that the excercise is all inclusive. He explained that the implementation is ongoing and reaffirmed that in line with extant policies, adjustments to the emoluments of serving personnel has a consequential increase to the pensions of veterans.
The CDS also highlighted ongoing DHQ initiatives aimed at improving the lives of veterans and their families. These include ongoing collaboration with the Bank of Industry to facilitate access to low digit loans for business enterprises for both serving and retired personnel including their families, as well as the ongoing construction of the Defence Hospital, which will reserve a percentage of its patronage for veterans. He noted that all the initiatives had the blessing of the President, C-in-C of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, HE Bola Ahmed Tinubu who deliberately provided resources to drive them so as to appreciate the sacrifices of both serving and retired personnel.

The veterans also used the occasion to present other welfare concerns, which the CDS addressed and assured them would continue to receive appropriate attention.

The engagement, attended by veteran leaders led by the President of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers Association (RANAO), Major General HA Salihu (rtd), Major General LP Ngubane (rtd) and Air Vice Marshal NE Nzokala (rtd) provided a platform for frank dialogue and renewed confidence.

Speaking on behalf of the veterans, the President RANAO expressed gratitude to the CDS and called on veterans to support the good efforts being made by the leadership of the armed forces under General Oluyede to improve welfare of personnel and veterans.

In his closing remarks, General Oluyede paid tribute to the veterans for the sacrifices they made in the defence of the nation, stressing that the uniform may have been taken off, but the nation's gratitude will never fade.
He assured them that the Defence Headquarters under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense , will continue to work towards improving their welfare, noting that Nigeria will forever cherish the service, courage and sacrifices of those who served to keep the nation safe.
SAMAILA UBA
Major General
Director, Defence Information
20 August 2026

15/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE: ATTEMPTED BREACH OF DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS OFFICIAL X ACCOUNT

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