The newly appointed Service Chiefs arrived at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, accompanied by other senior military officers.
Their visit followed the Senate’s decision to move up the screening exercise to Wednesday, October 29, instead of the earlier date scheduled for next week.
The adjustment came shortly after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read a letter from President Bola Tinubu, requesting the confirmation of General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
Akpabio explained that the rescheduling was to allow the new Service Chiefs assume office quickly and ensure seamless coordination within the nation’s security architecture.
In his letter, President Tinubu urged the Senate to fast-track the confirmation process to maintain stability and momentum in ongoing military operations.
On October 24, Tinubu announced a major shake-up in the military leadership, appointing General Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as CDS.
Other appointments included Major-General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.
Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye retained his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence, according to a statement by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public CoCommunication.
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All appointments, the statement noted, take immediate effect.
General Oluyede, who became Chief of Army Staff last year following the death of General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, now succeeds General Musa as Chief of Defence Staff.
The outgoing Service Chiefs — General Musa, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Air Marshal Bala Abubakar — have been in office since June 2023, leading major campaigns against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed bandits in the North-East and North-West.
While their tenure achieved significant progress, continued security challenges across the country have increased calls for a fresh approach and renewed leadership.
