The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Major General Waheedi Shaibu as Nigeria’s new Chief of Army Staff, directing him to “take a bow” and assume office immediately.
Shaibu’s confirmation came barely an hour after the upper chamber approved General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, marking the formal commencement of the screening process for President Bola Tinubu’s recently appointed service chiefs.
The exercise, held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja under tight security, involved a series of open and closed sessions during which senators vetted the nominees’ credentials and suitability for their roles.
Presiding over the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the screening as a constitutional duty aimed at ensuring that only the most competent and patriotic officers are entrusted with the nation’s security.
“There is no need to ask them too many questions because we will be having a closed-door session with them,” Akpabio noted, urging restraint during the public phase of the proceedings.
In a show of confidence, Senator Isah Jubrin, who represents Kogi East, attested to Shaibu’s competence and integrity, describing him as the right man for the job.
“The officer is well known to me. I have known him for 30 years. Shaibu is humble and takes his job very seriously. I believe he is an asset and has what it takes to help Nigeria overcome its current security challenges,” he said.
The screening and confirmation of both Shaibu and Oluyede underscore the Senate’s commitment to fast-tracking the approval of all service chiefs appointed by President Tinubu as part of his broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security leadership.
