The Senate on Wednesday confirmed General Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Defence Staff, marking the beginning of the screening process for the newly appointed service chiefs at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
Oluyede’s confirmation came less than an hour after he and the other nominees arrived under tight security.
Welcoming the officers, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the screening as a constitutional responsibility, emphasizing the need to ensure that only competent and patriotic officers are tasked with safeguarding 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. On behalf of the entire Senate, I congratulate you on your well-deserved appointments and commend you for the years of dedicated service you have rendered to our great nation,” Akpabio said.
He added that the exercise reflects the Senate’s oversight role in maintaining discipline and professionalism in the armed forces and expressed hope for a constructive engagement to bolster Nigeria’s security.
“Today’s exercise is in keeping with our constitutional duty to provide oversight and ensure that only the most competent, patriotic, and disciplined officers are entrusted with the task of safeguarding our national security and territorial integrity,” the Senate President stressed.
Oluyede led the delegation, arriving at the National Assembly around 10 a.m. with other senior military officers.
The nominees are being screened by the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Akpabio, before their formal confirmation.
The nominations follow a letter from President Bola Tinubu, read during Tuesday’s plenary, in which he requested the Senate’s “expeditious consideration” of the appointments.
The President’s list includes 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 occurs just a week after Tinubu met privately with the new service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, marking his first official engagement with the military hierarchy following last week’s major shake-up.
The Presidency noted that the appointments are part of broader efforts to strengthen national security and improve coordination among 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 the Armed Forces.
