President Bola Tinubu has sent a formal request to the Senate for the confirmation of five newly appointed service chiefs.
The letter was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session. The nominees are:
– Chief of Defence Staff: General Olufemi Oluyede
– Chief of Army Staff: Major-General Waheedi Shaibu
– Chief of Naval Staff: Rear Admiral Idi Abbas
– Chief of Air Staff: Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke
– Chief of Defence Intelligence: Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye
Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the screening and confirmation process. The request has been referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration next week.
The appointments, which took immediate effect, follow a recent military leadership reshuffle aimed at strengthening national security. General Christopher Musa was removed as Chief of Defence Staff and replaced by Oluyede, while Undiendeye was retained in his role.
Presidential aide Sunday Dare described the changes as part of efforts to bolster Nigeria’s security architecture. However, the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded clarity on the reasons behind the shake-up, citing regional instability in Chad and the Sahel.
