The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday confirmed General Olufemi Oluyede as the country’s new Chief of Defence Staff as it began screening President Bola Tinubu’s recently appointed service chiefs at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
Oluyede’s confirmation came less than an hour after he and other nominees arrived at the National Assembly under tight security.
Welcoming the nominees, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the screening exercise as a constitutional responsibility designed to ensure that only competent and patriotic officers are entrusted with the defence of the nation.
“Distinguished colleagues, it is with great pleasure that I welcome our newly appointed Service Chiefs to the hallowed chamber of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Akpabio said.
“On behalf of the entire Senate, I congratulate you on your well-deserved appointments and commend your years of dedicated service to our great nation.”
Akpabio added that the process was part of the Senate’s oversight function to guarantee professionalism and discipline within the armed forces, saying the chamber looked forward to an engaging session aimed at strengthening the nation’s security system.
Leading the delegation, Oluyede arrived at the National Assembly around 10 a.m. with other senior officers. The nominees are being screened by the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Akpabio, before formal confirmation.
Their appearance followed a letter from President Tinubu, read during Tuesday’s plenary, requesting the Senate’s “expeditious consideration” of the appointments.
The nominees include General Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Major General Waheedi Shaibu (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Idi Abbas (Chief of Naval Staff), Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke (Chief of Air Staff), and Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye (Chief of Defence Intelligence).
The screening comes a week after Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with the new military leaders at the Presidential Villa — his first engagement with the reconstituted military hierarchy following last week’s sweeping changes in the armed forces.
According to the Presidency, the appointments are part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and improve coordination between the military and intelligence agencies.
Tinubu also praised the outgoing service chiefs for their “patriotic service and leadership” and urged their successors to uphold professionalism, unity, and vigilance in defending the country.
