Afeez Ayinde SaheedThe Senate has confirmed the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff-designate, General Olufemi Oluyede.
Oluyede, along with other newly appointed service chiefs, appeared before the Senate at the National Assembly for screening earlier in the day.
The nominees arrived at the National Assembly Complex around 10am, accompanied by several senior military officers.
Oluyede was cleared barely an hour after his arrival, following a brief screening session conducted under tight security.
Their appearance follows a letter from President Tinubu, which was read during Tuesday’s plenary, urging the Red Chamber to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominations.
The President listed the nominees as General Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Major General Waheedi Shaibu (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Idi Abbas (Chief of Naval Staff), Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke (Chief of Air Staff), and Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye (Chief of Defence Intelligence).
The screening comes just a week after Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with the new service chiefs at the Presidential Villa — his first official engagement with the military hierarchy following last week’s sweeping shake-up in the armed forces.
According to the Presidency, the appointments are part of the administration’s broader efforts to strengthen national security and enhance coordination among military and intelligence agencies.
Tinubu had also praised the outgoing service chiefs for their “patriotic service and leadership” and urged their successors to uphold professionalism, unity, and vigilance within the Armed Forces.
Who is Gen Oluyede?
Until his appointment as the new Chief of Defence Staff, Oluyede served as the Chief of Army Staff.
He also previously held the position of the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.
The 56-year-old Oluyede is a member of the 39th Regular Course.
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987, and rose to the rank of Major-General in September 2020.
Oluyede has held numerous commands since his commissioning as an officer.
He served as Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
General Oluyede has participated in several key operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.
Oluyede has received numerous honours for his distinguished service in various fields of operation, including the Corps Medal of Honour, Grand Service Star, Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute.
