On Wednesday, the Nigerian Senate confirmed the appointments of General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff and Major General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff during their proceedings at the National Assembly in Abuja. The confirmation followed a screening through a letter from President Tinubu, which was read during Tuesday’s plenary session, urging
On Wednesday, the Nigerian Senate confirmed the appointments of General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff and Major General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff during their proceedings at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The confirmation followed a screening through a letter from President Tinubu, which was read during Tuesday’s plenary session, urging the Senate to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominations.
The President listed the nominees as 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).
According to the Presidency, the appointments were part of a broader reform agenda aimed at improving coordination between the military and intelligence agencies and reinforcing Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, banditry, and other security threats.
The nominations came just a week after President Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with the new service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, his first official engagement with the military hierarchy following a sweeping shake-up in the armed forces.
General Oluyede and other nominees arrived at the National Assembly around 10 a.m. to participate in the screening exercise.
The screening exercises were presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who led the screening and confirmation Committee of the whole House. He also posed questions to the Service Chiefs.
Welcoming the nominees to the chamber, Senate President Akpabio described the exercise as a constitutional responsibility designed to ensure that only the most competent and patriotic officers are entrusted with safeguarding the nation.
He said, “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.”
The Senate President further explained that the screening was part of the legislature’s oversight function to uphold discipline and professionalism within the Armed Forces, adding that lawmakers looked forward to a constructive interaction that would help strengthen the country’s security institutions.
He added, “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.”
In his remarks, Akpabio underscored the importance of collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government in achieving national security objectives. He noted that while the screening process would allow for limited questioning in public, the detailed interaction would continue behind closed doors due to the sensitive nature of the issues involved.
“There is no need to ask them too many questions because we will be having a closed-door session with them,” Akpabio said.
During the screening exercise, senators engaged the nominees in both open and closed-door sessions, with discussions focusing on the strategic direction of the nation’s defence policy and the urgent need to restore peace in volatile regions.
Barely an hour after Oluyede’s confirmation as Chief of Defence Staff, the Senate proceeded to confirm Major General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff. Lawmakers lauded his experience, discipline, and commitment to military professionalism.
Senator Isah Jubrin, representing Kogi East, moved a strong endorsement for Shaibu, attesting to his competence and character.
“The officer is well known to me. I have known him for 30 years. Shaibu is humble and takes his job very seriously. I want to believe that is an asset,” he said. “I believe he has what it takes to move Nigeria out of the challenges the country is experiencing today.”
Following the deliberations, Shaibu was directed to “take a bow” and assume office immediately, a directive that underscored the urgency of the new military leadership taking charge amid escalating security concerns across the country.
The confirmation of both Oluyede and Shaibu reflects the Senate’s readiness to expedite the screening and approval of all service chiefs nominated by President Tinubu. Also, lawmakers emphasised that ensuring effective leadership at the helm of the armed forces was critical to restoring public confidence in the nation’s security system.
However, President Tinubu commended the outgoing service chiefs for their “patriotic service and leadership” and urged their successors to justify the confidence reposed in them by upholding professionalism, unity, and vigilance within the Armed Forces.
