Senate Moves to Fast-Track Screening of Tinubu’s New Service Chiefs
The Nigerian Senate has scheduled the screening and confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s newly appointed Service Chiefs for Wednesday, October 29, 2025, bringing the process forward in response to what lawmakers described as urgent national security needs.
The decision followed a formal request from President Tinubu, conveyed in a letter read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary. In the letter, Tinubu urged lawmakers to give “expeditious consideration” to the appointments, citing Section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“The security situation in our country requires immediate leadership. These appointments are critical to ensuring continuity and stability in our armed forces,” Akpabio said after reading the President’s correspondence.
The nominees include 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.
The move comes a day after Tinubu met privately with the new appointees at the Presidential Villa, where discussions reportedly focused on strategic defence coordination and tackling insecurity across the country.
