The Senate has officially begun the screening process for Lt.-General Olufemi Oluyede, who was recently nominated as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), alongside the newly appointed service chiefs.
The session commenced at 12:46 p.m., with the CDS and other nominees ushered into the hallowed chamber to address lawmakers. The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), had earlier suggested that since Oluyede was previously screened and confirmed for the position of Chief of Army Staff, there was no need for another screening.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio disagreed, ruling that Oluyede must appear before the chamber as his new appointment requires a fresh review. Akpabio explained that the nominee should speak about his background, career progression, and his achievements during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff.
At the time of filing this report, General Oluyede was addressing the Senate. Present alongside him were Major-General Waheedi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke, Chief of Air Staff.
Also present were the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye, and the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier sent a formal letter to the Senate seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of the newly appointed military chiefs. The letter was read on Tuesday by Senate President Akpabio, who later referred it to the Committee of the Whole for necessary action.
In his letter, President Tinubu listed the appointees as follows: Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke.
Earlier in the day, the newly appointed service chiefs arrived at the National Assembly around 10 a.m. for their screening, accompanied by senior military officers. The Senate had rescheduled the exercise from next week to Wednesday, October 29, following a communication from the President urging an expedited process.
Akpabio noted that the adjustment was necessary to ensure the new appointees could assume their responsibilities without delay, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stability within the country’s security structure.
President Tinubu had, in a previous directive, approved a shake-up within the military hierarchy, naming General Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff to replace General Christopher Musa. He also appointed Major-General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.
What You Should Know
Lt.-General Olufemi Oluyede, now undergoing screening as Chief of Defence Staff, was formerly the Chief of Army Staff.
His elevation is part of President Bola Tinubu’s major restructuring of Nigeria’s military leadership, aimed at strengthening the nation’s defence and improving coordination among the armed forces.
