Nigeria’s newly appointed Service Chiefs appeared before the Senate on Wednesday for screening, following President Bola Tinubu’s recent shake-up of the military hierarchy.
The officers, led by General Olufemi Oluyede—nominated as Chief of Defence Staff—arrived at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja around 10 a.m., accompanied by senior military officials.
The screening session was brought forward by the Senate after Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the President’s request for prompt confirmation to ensure “continuity and effective coordination” of national security operations.
In a letter to the upper chamber, President Tinubu urged lawmakers to expedite the process, emphasizing the need for the new service chiefs to assume their posts without delay.
Under the latest appointments, General Oluyede succeeds General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff. Major-General W. Shaibu becomes the new Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke takes charge as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas assumes the role of Chief of Naval Staff. Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The appointments, which took immediate effect last Friday, were announced by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication.
General Oluyede previously served as Chief of Army Staff, following the death of General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja last year.
The outgoing military chiefs—General Musa, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Air Marshal Bala Abubakar—were appointed in June 2023 and oversaw major counter-terrorism operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed bandit groups across the North-East and North-West regions.
Despite some progress recorded under their leadership, renewed insecurity and frequent armed attacks have fueled public demand for a new strategic direction within the military.
The Senate’s confirmation of the nominees is expected to conclude swiftly, setting the stage for a new phase in the administration’s security agenda.
