By Charles Pemu 
Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Senate is scheduled to screen and potentially confirm the newly appointed Service Chiefs today, Wednesday, as President Bola Tinubu moves swiftly to implement a significant overhaul of the nation’s security architecture.
President Tinubu’s request for the confirmation of the nominees was contained in a letter read on the floor of the Senate during Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The President urged the lawmakers to give “expeditious consideration” to his nominees.
The nominees put forward by President Tinubu for confirmation are:
- Chief of Defence Staff: General Olufemi Oluyede
- Chief of Army Staff: Major General Waidi 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
Senate President Akpabio referred the critical request to the Committee of the Whole for the screening process, which is slated to take place today.
This legislative action follows a recent closed-door meeting President Tinubu held with the new Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the first formal engagement since the major security shake-up last Friday. The Presidency had previously described the comprehensive appointments as part of efforts to “strengthen the national security architecture.”
President Tinubu also expressed his appreciation to the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and all other retired officers for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership.” He charged the new appointees to uphold professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the Armed Forces to justify the confidence reposed in them.
The administration is optimistic that the new leadership, once confirmed, will significantly enhance inter-agency coordination and strengthen the national effort against insurgency, banditry, and other pervasive security threats.
The changes in the military hierarchy come amid persistent public speculation, particularly following rumors of an alleged failed coup plot. While the Defence Headquarters vehemently dismissed reports by Sahara Reporters linking the alleged coup to the detention of sixteen senior military officers, the sudden reshuffle has kept public scrutiny focused on the circumstances surrounding the leadership changes.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, has already received the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff and the three Service Chiefs during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja, marking their first official interaction since the appointments. Meanwhile, the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has publicly called for greater transparency from the Federal Government regarding both the alleged coup attempt and the rationale behind the recent military reshuffle.