The newly appointed Service Chiefs arrived at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja around 10 a.m. on Wednesday for their screening, following a decision by the Senate to expedite the confirmation process.
The screening, earlier scheduled for next week, was brought forward to Wednesday, October 29, shortly after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read a letter from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeking the confirmation of General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
Akpabio explained that the rescheduling was necessary to ensure the new security leadership assumes office without delay, in line with the President’s request for swift action to maintain continuity in Nigeria’s security operations.
Last week, President Tinubu announced a major shake-up in the military hierarchy. In the new appointments:
- General Olufemi Oluyede replaces General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
- Major-General W. Shaibu is named Chief of Army Staff.
- Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke becomes the Chief of Air Staff.
- Rear Admiral I. Abbas takes over as Chief of Naval Staff.
- Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
All appointments take immediate effect.
General Oluyede previously assumed office as Chief of Army Staff in 2024 following the death of General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja. He now steps into the top military leadership role.
The outgoing Service Chiefs — General Christopher Musa, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Air Marshal Bala Abubakar — were appointed in June 2023 and oversaw operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandit groups across the North-East and North-West. While progress was recorded in several regions, ongoing attacks in parts of the country have intensified calls for renewed strategy and leadership.
The screening session is ongoing, with more updates expected shortly.
