The Senate has confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s nominees as the new Service Chiefs after a closed-door screening session focused on tackling Nigeria’s worsening security challenges. Following the over two-hour session chaired by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Senate unanimously approved the appointments of Lieutenant 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, and Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff.
Before the confirmation, the nominees responded to questions from senators, pledging to introduce major reforms aimed at modernising the Armed Forces, improving troop morale, promoting local arms production, integrating technology, and enhancing collaboration among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.General Oluyede said his leadership would pursue a “technology-driven, self-reliant” defence system to reduce dependence on foreign arms.
He stated, “We cannot continue to rely on foreign suppliers for our weapons. It is economically unsustainable and strategically risky. My priority will be building a strong local military-industrial base capable of meeting our defence needs.”He also promised to make intelligence-led and data-driven operations central to military engagements, while ensuring improved welfare, healthcare, housing, and education for soldiers and their families.“Morale is the backbone of fighting power,” he said.
Oluyede further called for police reforms to strengthen internal security, allowing the military to focus on external defence. “The military alone cannot secure Nigeria. Security is everyone’s responsibility,” he added. Senators commended the nominees’ plans and vision, with Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North) praising Oluyede’s counter-insurgency experience, while Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) emphasised that troop welfare must remain a top priority.
Rear Admiral Abbas, the new Chief of Naval Staff, pledged to modernise maritime operations, expand drone surveillance, and intensify efforts against piracy and oil theft. He argued that creating a Coast Guard was unnecessary since the Navy already performs those functions. “The Navy’s constitutional roles already cover what a Coast Guard would do. What we need is better funding and advanced surveillance systems,” he said.
Abbas noted that the Navy had begun deploying drones to monitor remote waterways and had established a Special Operations Command in Makurdi to enhance security on the Benue-Lokoja routes. He also called for victim-focused reintegration of repentant militants, stating, “Deradicalisation must be rooted in justice and healing.”
Air Vice Marshal Aneke, the new Chief of Air Staff, vowed to transform the Air Force into a “combat-ready, disciplined, and intelligent” force driven by drone technology and rapid-response capacity. “Modern warfare depends on technology. Unmanned aerial systems can perform many missions more safely and effectively than manned aircraft, and we will invest in them,” he said.Aneke confirmed that Nigeria’s $1.2 billion Super Tucano fleet remains fully operational and continues to play a key role in counter-insurgency operations.
“They are flying nightly missions across the North-East and North-West. Each missile costs about $100,000 — the price of peace,” he said.He also promised to prioritise pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and personnel welfare, while seeking legislative support for defence technology development.Together, the new Service Chiefs outlined a unified strategy anchored on innovation, collaboration, and welfare to secure Nigeria’s land, sea, and airspace.
General Oluyede pledged to coordinate joint operations with Rear Admiral Abbas and Air Vice Marshal Aneke to ensure maritime safety and air superiority. All three reaffirmed loyalty to President Tinubu’s defence reform agenda and promised measurable progress in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and oil theft.“We are here to serve. Every naira invested in the military must translate into peace, safety, and pride for Nigerians,” Aneke said.
With their confirmation, the Service Chiefs now form the backbone of President Tinubu’s new security structure, tasked with restoring peace in the North-East, ending banditry in the North-West, and protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity nationwide.
