By Peter Salami
Nigeria’s newly appointed Service Chiefs are set to appear before the Senate for confirmation on Wednesday, even as the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has charged them to pursue a unified strategy and decisive action in tackling the nation’s security challenges.
The Minister gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to his office by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Rear Adm. Idi Abbas, and AVM Sunday Aneke, respectively.
According to a statement by his media aide, Mati Ali, Badaru said the visit underscored the renewed drive to build a cohesive defence leadership anchored on trust, collaboration, and shared purpose. He emphasised that under President Bola Tinubu’s guidance, the armed forces must work as “one united front” to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national interests.
“This marks the beginning of a coordinated, decisive approach to ending insecurity and restoring peace nationwide,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced during plenary that the upper chamber would screen and confirm the Service Chiefs today to enable them to assume their duties without delay.
Reading President Tinubu’s letter of nomination, Akpabio noted that the President sought the expeditious confirmation of the four top officers: Gen. Olufemi Oluyede (Defence), Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu (Army), Rear Adm. Idi Abbas (Navy), and AVM Sunday Aneke (Air Force).
Tinubu said the appointments were made “in furtherance of efforts to strengthen the national security architecture,” expressing confidence that the new military leadership would bring renewed energy and professionalism to Nigeria’s defence establishment.