BREAKING: Senate approves Oluyede, Shaibu, Abbas, Aneke, and Undiendeye as new Service Chiefs

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed General Olufemi Oluyede as Nigeria’s new Chief of Defence Staff after screening the newly 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 complex amid tight security.

While welcoming the nominees, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the screening as a constitutional duty aimed at ensuring that only competent and patriotic officers are entrusted 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,” Akpabio said.

“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.”

He emphasized that the screening was part of the Senate’s oversight role to promote professionalism and discipline in the Armed Forces, adding that the exercise was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework.

“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,” Akpabio added.

General Oluyede, who led the delegation, arrived at the National Assembly around 10 a.m. with other senior officers. The nominees were screened by the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Akpabio, before being formally confirmed.

Their appearance followed a letter from President Bola Tinubu, which was read during Tuesday’s plenary, urging the Red Chamber to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominations.

The President had 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).

Last week, Tinubu met with the newly appointed service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, his first official engagement with the new military hierarchy following a major shake-up in the Armed Forces.

According to the Presidency, the appointments are part of ongoing reforms to strengthen the country’s security system and improve coordination among the military and intelligence agencies.

Tinubu also commended the outgoing service chiefs for their “patriotic service and leadership,” urging their successors to justify the trust placed in them through professionalism, unity, and renewed dedication to duty.

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