The president Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally written to the Nigerian Senate requesting the screening and confirmation of his newly appointed military service chiefs. The letter was read during Tuesday’s plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who subsequently referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for expedited consideration and confirmation expected next week.
The newly nominated service chiefs include General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, 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 continues as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
President Tinubu’s request follows a recent reshuffle in the military hierarchy aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture. The President directed the immediate effect of all appointments and urged the Senate to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominations in line with Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act.
The reshuffle, announced on October 25th, 2025, replaces General Christopher Musa with General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, among other changes. The administration views the changes as strategic to boosting professionalism, enhancing morale, and fostering better coordination across security agencies.On Monday, the new service chiefs met with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to discuss upcoming security challenges ahead of their formal assumption of duties and the Senate confirmation process.
The government’s move comes in the wake of heightened security concerns nationwide and follows revelations of a purported coup plot involving senior military officers earlier this month. Although the presidency has not directly linked the leadership changes to these events, the timing has attracted significant attention and calls for clarity.Critics, including opposition parties, have called on President Tinubu to provide detailed reasons for the military hierarchy reshuffle, emphasizing the need for transparency amid ongoing regional security challenges.
The Senate is scheduled to begin screening the new military chiefs on Wednesday, October 29th, 2025, marking a key step in endorsing President Tinubu’s efforts to revitalize Nigeria’s security forces.
