The Nigerian Senate has screened and confirmed the new Service Chiefs recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following a closed and open session held at the National Assembly on Tuesday.
The confirmed Service Chiefs are General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General Waheedi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff; Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke, Chief of Air Staff; and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief of Naval Staff.
President Tinubu, in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary, urged lawmakers to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominees. The Presidency noted that the appointments form part of a strategic realignment aimed at deepening professionalism, boosting morale, and enhancing inter-agency coordination in national security operations.
The Service Chiefs, accompanied by senior military officers, arrived at the National Assembly Complex around 10:00 a.m. for the screening, which was conducted under tight security.
Presiding over the session, Senate President Akpabio described the screening as part of the legislature’s constitutional duty to ensure that only competent and patriotic officers are entrusted with the nation’s defence. “There is no need to ask them too many questions because we will be having a closed-door session with them,” he said.
Akpabio added that the Senate’s oversight role includes ensuring discipline, professionalism, and accountability within the armed forces, expressing confidence that the exercise would strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
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During the interactive session, each nominee outlined their commitment to national security. Air Vice Marshal Aneke, nominee for Chief of Air Staff, pledged to safeguard Nigerians “through the instruments of air power in synergy with colleagues in the military and other security agencies.”
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau charged the nominees to uphold loyalty to both the President and the Constitution. “This is the underpinning in service loyalty. With your zeal and the commitment of Mr. President, we are confident total security will be achieved,” he said.
Before their confirmation, the Senate held a closed-door meeting in line with its tradition, citing the sensitivity of national security discussions.
The confirmation follows Monday’s meeting between President Tinubu and the newly appointed Service Chiefs, where they reportedly discussed the nation’s security challenges ahead of their formal assumption of duty.
President Tinubu had on 24 October announced a shake-up in the military hierarchy, naming General Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff to replace General Christopher Musa, while retaining Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
