Just in: Senate confirms Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed General Olufemi Oluyede as Nigeria’s new Chief of Defence Staff, following a high-security screening session held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

Oluyede’s confirmation came less than an hour after he and other nominated service chiefs arrived at the complex for their official screening, which was presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Welcoming the nominees, Akpabio described the exercise as a constitutional responsibility and a crucial step toward ensuring Nigeria’s armed forces remain disciplined, professional, and loyal to the nation’s unity.

“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,” Akpabio said.

The Senate President added that the screening underscored the chamber’s oversight duty to guarantee competence in Nigeria’s military command structure.

“Today’s exercise is in keeping with our constitutional duty to ensure that only the most competent, patriotic, and disciplined officers are entrusted with the task of safeguarding our national security and territorial integrity,” he said.

Oluyede led a team of top officers to the screening, which began around 10 a.m. The process, conducted by the Committee of the Whole and chaired by Akpabio, examined the credentials, experience, and strategic vision of each nominee before confirming them for their respective roles.

Their appearance followed a formal request by President Bola Tinubu, read on the Senate floor on Tuesday, urging lawmakers to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominations.

Others confirmed alongside Oluyede include Major General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.