Nigerian Senate Confirms Appointments Of New Service Chiefs

The Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for the country’s top military positions.

The confirmed service chiefs are Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, and Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff.

Their approval came after a two-hour closed-door session, during which senators asked the nominees about their strategies for improving national security and implementing reforms in the armed forces.

President Tinubu had written to the Senate requesting the screening and confirmation of his nominees for the top military positions.

During the session on Wednesday, senators questioned the nominees on their plans to improve intelligence coordination, modernize military operations, and restore public confidence in the armed forces.

After the deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the confirmation to a voice vote, which was unanimously approved.

Speaking after the vote, Akpabio praised the president’s selections, noting that the nominees have the experience and credibility needed to strengthen the military.

“The Senate had deliberations with the nominees of Mr. President for the offices of Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and Chief of Defence Staff,” Akpabio said.

“All the senators interacted with them, and there were various suggestions and questions from all the states of the federation including the FCT. They have answered all questions in the course of the interactions.”

He noted that the confirmation reflects growing national confidence in the Tinubu administration’s security reforms and signals the government’s commitment to protecting citizens’ lives and property.

“On the whole, we believe this will renew the hope of Nigerians in respect of restoring security to our nation,” Akpabio added.

“Although security is everybody’s business, we found them fit and very capable — almost all of them emerging from the theatres of war in different parts of the world and different parts of the country.”

He also commended the Senate for dedicating the entire session to the confirmation process, calling it an act of patriotism.

“We congratulate President Bola Tinubu for making these choices, and also congratulate the Nigerian Senate for suspending every other item to go into this issue of screening, approval, and confirmation.

“May God Almighty guide all the service chiefs, together with the Chief of Defence Staff, to add value and enhance the security of lives and properties in our nation,” he added.

KanyiDaily recalls that the new service chiefs were appointed by President Bola Tinubu on October 24, following reports of a foiled coup plot.