General Olufemi Oluyede has been confirmed as Nigeria’s new Chief of Defence Staff after Senate screening of newly appointed service chiefs

General Olufemi Oluyede has officially been confirmed as Nigeria’s new Chief of Defence Staff following a swift screening and approval by the Senate on Wednesday in Abuja.

Also read: Nigerian service chiefs begin senate screening

Oluyede’s confirmation came less than an hour after he and other nominees arrived at the National Assembly complex under tight security, marking the start of the Senate’s screening of the newly appointed service chiefs.

Welcoming the nominees, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the exercise as both a constitutional and moral duty, ensuring that only competent and patriotic officers are entrusted with the responsibility of defending the nation.

“Distinguished colleagues, it is with great pleasure that I welcome our newly appointed Service Chiefs to the hallowed chamber of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Akpabio said. “On behalf of the entire Senate, I congratulate you on your well-deserved appointments and commend you for your years of dedicated service to our great nation.”

He emphasised that the screening reflected the Senate’s oversight role in maintaining professionalism, discipline, and transparency within the armed forces, adding that the interaction would strengthen Nigeria’s overall security structure.

Leading the delegation, General Oluyede arrived at the National Assembly complex around 10 a.m. alongside senior officers. The screening, chaired by Akpabio, was conducted by the Committee of the Whole before the formal confirmation vote.

The nominees—General Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Major General Waheedi Shaibu (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Idi Abbas (Chief of Naval Staff), Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke (Chief of Air Staff), and Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye (Chief of Defence Intelligence)—were nominated by President Bola Tinubu.

Their appearance came a day after Tinubu’s letter to the Senate urged an expeditious confirmation to ensure continuity and effective command in the military hierarchy.

The appointments follow last week’s major reshuffle in the armed forces and Tinubu’s private meeting with the new service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, part of his administration’s broader effort to reinforce Nigeria’s security architecture and improve coordination among the military and intelligence agencies.

Also read: Nigerian service chiefs begin senate screening

The President had earlier praised the outgoing service chiefs for their “patriotic service and leadership” while charging their successors to uphold professionalism, unity, and vigilance in defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity.