The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, October 29, moved to confirm the appointment of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Defence Staff.
Olufemi Oluyede following his previous screening as the Chief of Army Staff was recused from the formal screening process by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
He was rather allowed to introduce himself to the Senate and highlight some of his experiences as COAS.
The leadership of the Senate also urged the new CDS to inform the lawmakers of his plan for his new position and how he intends to steer the affairs at the Defence Headquarters.
Akpabio said, “We had earlier screened General Oluyede for the office of the Chief of Army Staff but today he is here to be screened for the office of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
“So, he would have been angry if he entered without introducing himself and using a few minutes to tell us his experience in his previous office and then also tell us what he intends to put forward in this very elevated and commanding position.
“He would have been angry and because I don’t want you to leave here angry, I and my colleagues with this slight amendment; I will put the question.”
Akpabio while beckoning on his colleagues called on the CDS to take the floor and introduce himself.
Recall that Oluyede was appointed as COAS by President Bola Tinubu on October 30, following the death of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja who died in active service – after a brief illness.
A year after his appointment, Oluyede was elevated to the position of CDS alongside, Major General W. Shaibu as CAS; Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff and Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Following their appointment on October 24, 2025, the service chiefs arrived at the Nigerian Senate for further confirmation as requested by President Tinubu.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
