ABUJA — The Senate on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for the country’s top military positions, formalising the appointments of new service chiefs amid ongoing national security reforms.
The confirmed officers are Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, and Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff.
Tinubu had earlier sent a letter to the upper chamber requesting their screening and approval.
In response, lawmakers devoted the entire Wednesday plenary to the confirmation exercise, holding a closed-door session lasting more than two hours.
During the session, senators questioned the nominees on plans to strengthen intelligence coordination, modernise combat capabilities, and rebuild public confidence in the armed forces.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio later put the confirmation to a voice vote, which received unanimous backing.
“The Senate had deliberations with the nominees of Mr. President for the offices of Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and Chief of Defence Staff,” Akpabio said shortly after the vote.
“All the senators interacted with them, and there were various suggestions and questions from all the states of the federation including the FCT. They have answered all questions in the course of the interactions.”
Akpabio praised the president’s choices, saying the nominees possess the “experience and credibility required to reposition the military,” and added that the confirmation “will renew the hope of Nigerians in respect of restoring security to our nation.”
He noted that many of the officers had served “in the theatres of war in different parts of the world and different parts of the country,” arguing that their combat experience makes them well suited to lead the nation’s security architecture at a critical time.
The Senate President also commended lawmakers for prioritising the screening, describing the full-day session as a demonstration of patriotism.
“We congratulate President Bola Tinubu for making these choices, and also congratulate the Nigerian Senate for suspending every other item to go into this issue of screening, approval, and confirmation,” he said.
“May God Almighty guide all the service chiefs, together with the Chief of Defence Staff, to add value and enhance the security of lives and properties in our nation,” he added.
Tinubu appointed the new military chiefs on Friday, October 24, 2025, shortly after reports emerged of a foiled coup plot.
The Senate’s confirmation now formalises their appointments, with the officers expected to assume their commands immediately as Nigeria grapples with insurgency, banditry, and other security threats.
