Senate Confirms Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff

The Senate has confirmed General Olufemi Oluyede as Nigeria’s new Chief of Defence Staff, officially kicking off the screening process for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recently appointed service chiefs.

Oluyede’s confirmation was swiftly concluded less than an hour after he and other nominees arrived at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, accompanied by tight security operatives. 

The screening marked the beginning of a crucial phase in Tinubu’s effort to overhaul Nigeria’s defence leadership amid ongoing security challenges across the country.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while welcoming the nominees, said the confirmation process reflected the legislature’s responsibility to ensure only competent officers are entrusted with Nigeria’s national security.

“This exercise is not just a formality. It is our constitutional duty to confirm men and women who have demonstrated integrity, discipline, and a deep commitment to our nation’s safety,” Akpabio stated.

He congratulated the nominees on their appointments and acknowledged their long-standing dedication to the Nigerian Armed Forces. 

Akpabio emphasised that the screening was part of the Senate’s oversight role to promote discipline and professionalism within the military ranks.

The Senate’s action followed a letter sent by President Tinubu during Tuesday’s plenary, requesting urgent consideration and confirmation of his nominees to ensure continuity in national security operations.

Those presented for confirmation include:

Gen. Olufemi Oluyede – Chief of Defence Staff

Maj. Gen. Waheedi Shaibu – Chief of Army Staff

Rear Admiral Idi Abbas – Chief of Naval Staff

Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke – Chief of Air Staff

Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye – Chief of Defence Intelligence

A source at the National Assembly disclosed that the screening was “cordial but thorough,” as lawmakers questioned the officers on their strategies for combating terrorism, banditry, and internal insurgency.

The confirmation comes just days after President Tinubu met with the nominees at the Presidential Villa, his first official engagement with the new military hierarchy following a major reshuffle of the defence command structure.

According to a statement from the Presidency, the appointments form part of the administration’s broader efforts to “restructure and strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture” while improving synergy among defence and intelligence agencies.

President Tinubu also commended the immediate past service chiefs for their “years of patriotic service,” urging their successors to demonstrate professionalism, vigilance, and loyalty in restoring public confidence in the Armed Forces.

“The new chiefs must prove that our military remains a symbol of unity, courage, and dedication,” a top defence official said. “The President expects visible improvements in inter-agency coordination and operations.”

With General Oluyede’s confirmation, the stage is now set for a new era of military leadership, one expected to steer Nigeria through its most pressing security challenges with renewed discipline and strategy.