JUST IN: Senate Confirms Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff in Swift Security Overhaul

By Ogunbayi Beedee Adeyemi October 29, 2025
adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), marking the first major step in President Bola Tinubu’s ambitious reshuffle of the nation’s military leadership amid escalating security threats.

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The confirmation came during Wednesday’s plenary session at the National Assembly, following a brief screening process that underscored the chamber’s commitment to expeditious action on Tinubu’s nominations. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the approval shortly after noon, praising Oluyede’s “impeccable record” and urging him to prioritize unity and professionalism in tackling insurgency, banditry, and border vulnerabilities.

Oluyede, 57, arrived at the National Assembly complex around 10 a.m. leading a delegation of senior officers, where he faced questions from the Senate Committee on Defence on operational strategies and inter-service coordination. In his responses, the Ikere-Ekiti-born general, a product of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 39th Regular Course, outlined plans to enhance intelligence sharing and deploy technology-driven tactics against Boko Haram and ISWAP remnants in the Northeast.

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The session, rescheduled from Tuesday at Tinubu’s behest to avoid delays in security continuity, reflects the administration’s urgency in fortifying the armed forces. Akpabio, in his opening remarks, emphasized the Senate’s oversight role under Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, stating, “This exercise ensures only the most competent and patriotic officers safeguard our territorial integrity.”

Oluyede replaces General Christopher Musa, whose tenure saw aggressive counter-terrorism ops but drew flak for persistent intelligence lapses and logistics woes. The new CDS, who served as Acting Chief of Army Staff in late 2024 and commanded the Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna, brings over three decades of experience, including UN peacekeeping in Sierra Leone and command roles in counter-insurgency.

The confirmation paves the way for screenings of the other nominees later this week: 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, retained). Full approvals are expected by Friday, enabling swearing-in at the Presidential Villa.

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The move garnered swift bipartisan applause. APC Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele hailed it as a “strategic masterstroke” for injecting fresh expertise, while PDP’s minority leader, Abba Moro, stressed accountability: “Nigerians expect tangible wins against insecurity, not just titles.”

Civil society echoed the optimism but tempered it with scrutiny. The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) commended the process but called for performance benchmarks, noting over 100,000 insecurity-related deaths since 2009. Online, #NewCDS trended with supportive posts, though some users questioned the timing amid economic strains.

Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale described Oluyede’s confirmation as “a pivotal moment” in Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” security agenda, linking it to broader reforms like local defense manufacturing building on Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s push for indigenous uniforms.

As Nigeria battles 33% unemployment and resurgent banditry in the Northwest, Oluyede inherits a force stretched thin across multiple fronts. His mandate includes securing farmlands for food production and protecting oil assets in the Niger Delta. Analysts predict the reshuffle could unlock ₦500 billion in the 2026 defense budget for modernization, potentially creating jobs in indigenous arms production.

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With confirmations underway, the nation watches closely: Can this new guard deliver the stability Tinubu promised? For now, Oluyede’s nod signals resolve but results will define the legacy.
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