Lekan Sowande, Abuja
The Nigerian Senate has screened and confirmed the new Service Chiefs recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The new Service Chiefs are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke, and Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas.
President Tinubu, in a letter read during Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urged lawmakers to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominees.
The appointments, according to the Presidency, form part of a strategic realignment aimed at deepening professionalism, boosting morale, and enhancing inter-agency coordination in national security operations.
The newly appointed Service Chiefs, accompanied by other senior military officers, arrived at the National Assembly Complex at about 10:00 a.m., local time.
The screening and confirmation exercise took place under tight security as Senators held a series of closed and open sessions to vet the nominees.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the session, said: “The screening is part of our constitutional duty. It is aimed at ensuring that only the most competent and patriotic officers are entrusted with safeguarding the nation. There is no need to ask them too many questions because we will be having a closed-door session with them.”
The Senator explained that the Senate’s oversight responsibility includes guaranteeing discipline, professionalism, and accountability within the armed forces, adding that the chamber expected a constructive engagement that would strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
One after the other, the Service Chiefs who took turns to answer questions from the legislators assured Nigerians of their readiness to safeguard the nation.
“As the Chief of Air Staff, if confirmed, Sir, my duties are very clear, direct, and they are simple. They are to secure the lives of Nigerians, their liberties and aspirations through the instruments of Air power in conjunction and synergy of both my colleagues in the Military and other security agencies.”
Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, urged the nominees to be loyal to the President and the constitution of the country.
“We urge all the nominees to be loyal to the Commander in Chief and loyal to our constitution. This is the underpinning in service, loyalty. We are sure with you and the zeal of Mr. President, to bring total security to this country will be accomplished, and we have no doubt you will do that. We thank Mr. President and we wish you good luck,” Barau said.
Before their confirmation, they went into a closed door session which is in line with the Senate’s tradition.
Lawmakers have consistently argued that discussions involving national security should not be held in open session to avoid compromising sensitive information.
It would be recalled that the newly appointed service chiefs met with the president on Monday, where they reportedly discussed the nation’s security challenges ahead of their formal assumption of duty and Senate confirmation.
On October 24, the President announced a shake-up in the military hierarchy, appointing General Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff to replace General Christopher Musa.
He also named Major-General Waheed Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff while Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye retained his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.