NIGERIA: Senate Sets Wednesday For New Service Chiefs Screening 

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Senate will on Wednesday screen the newly appointed service chiefs nominated by President Bola Tinubu, as part of efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s security structure.

Tinubu, in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary, urged lawmakers to grant “expeditious consideration” to the appointments.

The President named General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff; Major General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff; and Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Akpabio referred the nominations to the Committee of the Whole for screening and confirmation, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday.

The development comes barely 48 hours after Tinubu met with the new service chiefs behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja—his first official engagement with the military hierarchy since last Friday’s sweeping reshuffle.

The Presidency had explained that the shake-up was aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture and improving synergy among the armed forces.

Tinubu also expressed gratitude to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other retired officers for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership.”

He charged the new appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them by upholding professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the Armed Forces.

According to the Presidency, the new appointments, once confirmed, are expected to enhance inter-agency coordination and intensify the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other security challenges nationwide.