Nigeria’s Senate has confirmed General Olufemi Oluyede as the country’s new Chief of Defence Staff following a high-security screening session at the National Assembly in Abuja.
General Oluyede, who had earlier served as acting Chief of Army Staff, appeared before lawmakers alongside other newly appointed service chiefs on Wednesday morning. The confirmation came less than an hour after the officers arrived at the Senate complex.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while welcoming the nominees, said the exercise fulfilled the chamber’s constitutional role of ensuring only competent and patriotic officers are entrusted with the nation’s security.
“Today’s screening underscores our duty to oversee and guarantee that only the most disciplined and professional officers are placed in charge of safeguarding Nigeria’s security and territorial integrity,” Akpabio told senators.
The session followed a letter from President Bola Tinubu urging lawmakers to give “expeditious consideration” to his nominees. Other officers screened include 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).
The confirmation comes just days after President Tinubu met with the new military leadership at the Presidential Villa in Abuja a meeting seen as part of efforts to strengthen coordination among Nigeria’s defence and intelligence agencies.
According to the Presidency, the appointments are part of a wider security reform aimed at improving operational efficiency and addressing the nation’s complex security challenges.
President Tinubu also commended the outgoing service chiefs for their “patriotic service and leadership,” while urging the new appointees to uphold professionalism and unity within the Armed Forces.