The Senate on Wednesday confirmed General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff-designate.
Oluyede was confirmed within an hour after he and the other nominees arrived at the premises under heavy security.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed the nominees to the chamber, describing the screening as a constitutional obligation to ensure that only the most capable and patriotic officials are entrusted with protecting the nation.
Akpabio 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 whole Senate, I congratulate you on your well-deserved appointments and thank you for your many years of loyal service to our great nation.”
He went on to say that the exercise was part of the Senate’s oversight responsibilities to ensure discipline and professionalism in the armed services and that the chamber hoped for a positive engagement that would strengthen Nigeria’s security system.
The Senate President 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.”
Oluyede led the group and arrived at the National Assembly premises at 10 a.m., along with other senior executives. The nominations are being reviewed by the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Akpabio, before final confirmation.
Their presentation follows President Tinubu’s letter, which was read during Tuesday’s plenary, encouraging the Red Chamber to give the nominees “expeditious consideration.”
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).
Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with the new service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, his first official engagement with the military hierarchy since the armed forces shake-up last week.
The appointments are part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen the national security architecture and improve coordination among military and intelligence agencies.
Tinubu also praised the outgoing service chiefs for their “patriotic service and leadership” and asked their successors to justify the trust placed in them by maintaining professionalism, unity, and vigilance within the Armed Forces.
