🇳🇬 Senate screens and confirms new Service Chiefs appointed by President Tinubu

 

The Nigerian Senate has screened and confirmed the new Service Chiefs recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.  

Zig Diaries | National Security & Governance  

Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2025  

Time: 15:00 WAT  

Location: 📍 Abuja, Nigeria  

Those confirmed include 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 the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had urged lawmakers to grant “expeditious consideration” to the nominees. According to the Presidency, the appointments form part of a broader strategic realignment to deepen professionalism, boost morale, and enhance inter-agency coordination in national security operations.  

The newly appointed Service Chiefs, accompanied by senior military officers, arrived at the National Assembly Complex around 10:00 a.m. under tight security. Senators held both closed and open sessions to vet the nominees in line with the chamber’s security protocols.  

Presiding over the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the screening exercise was a constitutional responsibility aimed at ensuring that only the most competent and patriotic officers are entrusted with the nation’s defence.  

“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,” Akpabio stated.  

He added that the Senate’s oversight responsibility extends to guaranteeing discipline, professionalism, and accountability within the Armed Forces - with the expectation that the engagement would strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.  

One after another, the Service Chiefs took turns to answer questions from legislators, assuring Nigerians of their readiness to safeguard the nation.  

“As the Chief of Air Staff, if confirmed, my duties are clear and direct - to secure the lives, liberties, and aspirations of Nigerians through the instruments of air power, in synergy with my colleagues in the military and other security agencies,” said Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke.  

Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, urged the nominees to demonstrate loyalty to both the Commander-in-Chief and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  

“We urge all the nominees to be loyal to the Commander-in-Chief and to our constitution. Loyalty is the underpinning of service. With your zeal and the President’s determination to restore total security, we have no doubt you will succeed,” Barau said.  

Before their confirmation, the Senate went into a closed-door session, following the tradition that national security deliberations be held privately to avoid compromising sensitive information.  

It would be recalled that the new Service Chiefs met with President Tinubu on Monday, where they discussed the nation’s security challenges ahead of their formal assumption of duty.  

On October 24, the President announced a shake-up in the military hierarchy, appointing General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff to replace General Christopher Musa, and naming Major General Waheedi Shaibu, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke, and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as new Service Chiefs. Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye retained his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.  

Fact-Check & Background Context:  

- The confirmation followed President Tinubu’s recent overhaul of the military leadership on 24 October 2025.  

- Senate screening of Service Chiefs is mandated under Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, which requires legislative confirmation of presidential military appointments.  

- The closed session aligns with parliamentary norms for handling classified security discussions.  

- The new Chiefs’ confirmation marks a key step in Tinubu’s ongoing reforms aimed at consolidating command synergy and operational efficiency across the Armed Forces.  

🏷️ Tags: Service Chiefs, Senate Confirmation, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Godswill Akpabio, Nigerian Military, National Assembly, Defence  

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