The Senate on Wednesday confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for the nation’s top military positions after a two-hour closed-door screening session.
Those confirmed include General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff.
The confirmation followed a letter earlier sent by President Bola Tinubu to the upper chamber requesting the screening and approval of the nominees. During the session, senators engaged the appointees on their strategies for enhancing national security, improving intelligence coordination, and modernising military operations to strengthen public trust in the armed forces.
After deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put their confirmation to a voice vote, which was unanimously approved by the chamber.
Speaking after the exercise, Akpabio commended President Tinubu for the appointments, describing the nominees as experienced and capable of repositioning the Nigerian 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 added that the confirmation signified renewed confidence in the Tinubu administration’s security reforms and a collective commitment to safeguarding citizens.
“On the whole, we believe this will renew the hope of Nigerians in respect of restoring security to our nation,” Akpabio stated.
“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 the country.”
Akpabio also praised his colleagues for dedicating the entire sitting 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,” he added.
“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.”
President Tinubu had appointed the new service chiefs on October 24 following reports of a foiled coup plot. Their confirmation by the Senate now formalises their appointments, which are expected to take immediate effect.
