The newly appointed service chiefs, announced by President Bola Tinubu on October 24, 2025, have arrived at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja for their screening by the Senate.
The service chiefs include General Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General W. Shaibu as the Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke as the Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the Chief of Naval Staff.
The screening process is expected to assess the suitability of the new service chiefs for their positions.
General Oluyede, who previously served as the Chief of Army Staff, replaces General Christopher Musa as the Chief of Defence Staff.
Major-General Shaibu brings extensive experience in command and staff appointments, while Air Vice Marshal Aneke has held various appointments in the Nigerian Air Force.
Rear Admiral Abbas, with his background in naval operations, is expected to strengthen the country’s maritime security.
The appointments are part of President Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen national security, following a major military shake-up in June 2023.
The new service chiefs will face significant challenges, including Islamist insurgencies in the northeast, armed banditry in the northwest, and separatist unrest in the southeast.
The Senate will thoroughly scrutinize the new service chiefs to ensure they are equipped to tackle these security challenges and work towards ensuring a safer and more secure environment for all Nigerians. The confirmation of the new service chiefs is expected to bring stability and continuity to the nation’s security architecture.
