PICTORIAL: New Service Chiefs Arrive National Assembly Complex For Senate Screening

The newly appointed service chiefs have arrived at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Wednesday for their screening by the Senate, marking a key step in President Bola Tinubu’s recent shake-up of the nation’s military leadership.

The service chiefs arrived at the Senate wing of the National Assembly around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, accompanied by top-ranking military officers and aides.

Their appearance followed the Senate’s decision to bring forward the screening to Wednesday, October 29, from its earlier schedule for next week.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the rescheduled session during Tuesday’s plenary after reading a letter from President Bola Tinubu, which sought the lawmakers’ confirmation of the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, and other service chiefs.

“The change in date is necessary to enable the military chiefs to assume their duties immediately,” Akpabio explained while addressing senators on the floor.

In his correspondence to the Senate, President Tinubu urged lawmakers to give expeditious consideration to the confirmation process to ensure “continuity and effective coordination of the nation’s security architecture.”

On October 24, the President announced sweeping changes in the military hierarchy, appointing new heads for the armed forces in what analysts described as a move to inject “fresh energy” into Nigeria’s counter-insurgency and internal security operations.

Under the new appointments, General Olufemi Oluyede replaces General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Major-General W. Shaibu becomes the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke is the new Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Rear Admiral I. Abbas takes over as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) and Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his post as Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI).

The appointments, according to a statement signed by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, take immediate effect.

Recall that General Oluyede, now nominated as Chief of Defence Staff, had only recently assumed office as Chief of Army Staff following the death of General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja last year. His elevation to CDS marks a swift rise within the top military ranks.

He succeeded General Christopher Musa, who, alongside Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla and Air Marshal Bala Abubakar, had served since June 2023.

During their tenure, the outgoing service chiefs oversaw major counterterrorism operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed bandits in Nigeria’s North-East and North-West regions. While they achieved significant gains, continued attacks by gunmen across the country had intensified public calls for a change in military strategy and leadership.