The Senate on Wednesday commended President Bola Tinubu’s newly appointed service chiefs after confirming their nominations, following a rigorous two-hour closed-door screening session at the National Assembly.
During the session, senators engaged the nominees extensively on their plans to tackle insurgency, banditry, and other security challenges plaguing the country.
Presiding over the plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the nominations to a voice vote, which were unanimously approved by the lawmakers.
Akpabio, while announcing their confirmation, expressed confidence in the new military leadership and commended President Tinubu for making what he described as “strategic and thoughtful selections.”
He said, “They have answered all questions in the course of the interactions. Let me also thank the President for the selection of the nominees who have been so approved and confirmed by this chamber.
‘On the whole, we believe that this will renew the hope of Nigerians in respect of restoring security to our nation.”
The closed-door screening, which lasted for about two hours, allowed lawmakers from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to question the nominees on operational strategies, inter-agency coordination, and the welfare of troops on the frontlines.
Earlier in the day, the service chiefs—led by the Chief of Defence Staff-designate, General Olufemi Oluyede—arrived at the National Assembly complex around 10 a.m. for the high-profile screening exercise.
Others confirmed include 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).
Their appearance followed a formal request by President Tinubu, who had written to the Senate urging “expeditious consideration” of the nominees as part of efforts to “strengthen the national security architecture.”
The confirmation comes just days after Tinubu met privately with the new service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, where he charged them to justify the trust reposed in them by promoting professionalism, discipline, and unity across the Armed Forces.
He also paid tribute to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other retired officers for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership.”
With the Senate’s approval, the new military chiefs are now expected to immediately assume duty and drive the administration’s renewed offensive against insecurity, insurgency, and other forms of violent crime across the country.
