By Peter Omopo
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) following his screening at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Oluyede’s confirmation came less than an hour after he and other service chief nominees arrived at the Red Chamber under tight security.
Welcoming the nominees, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the screening exercise as part of the legislature’s constitutional duty to ensure that only qualified and patriotic officers are appointed to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“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 your years of dedicated service to our great nation,” Akpabio said.
He explained that the exercise underscored the Senate’s commitment to transparency, discipline, and professionalism within the Armed Forces, adding that the chamber would continue to support reforms aimed at improving national security.
“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,” the Senate President added.
Oluyede led a delegation of other nominees who arrived at the National Assembly around 10 a.m. for the screening, which was conducted by the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Akpabio.
The confirmation follows President Bola Tinubu’s letter to the Senate, read during Tuesday’s plenary, seeking “expeditious consideration” of the nominees.
The nominees included:
- 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
- Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye – Chief of Defence Intelligence
Their appearance before the Senate came barely a week after President Tinubu met with the new service chiefs at the Presidential Villa — his first formal interaction with the military hierarchy following last week’s major reshuffle.
According to the Presidency, the new appointments are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture and improve synergy among the Armed Forces and intelligence agencies.
Tinubu had earlier commended the outgoing service chiefs for their “patriotic service and leadership” and charged their successors to uphold professionalism, unity, and vigilance in discharging their duties.
With Wednesday’s confirmation, General Oluyede officially assumes office as the Chief of Defence Staff, taking over responsibility for coordinating Nigeria’s military operations amid ongoing security challenges nationwide.
