By Muhammad Mamman
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally written to the Senate, requesting confirmation of the newly appointed service chiefs, in line with constitutional requirements.
In the letter read during Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President sought the lawmakers’ approval for the appointments made across Nigeria’s armed forces, following a major shake-up in the nation’s security leadership.
The nominees include the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, and Chief of Air Staff, all of whom were appointed earlier by the President to lead the country’s fight against insurgency, banditry, and other security threats.
Tinubu, in his correspondence, said the request was in compliance with Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004, which mandates legislative confirmation for such high-level appointments.
“In accordance with the law, I forward for confirmation the names of the newly appointed service chiefs,” the letter partly read. “Their experience and dedication will be critical in repositioning our armed forces to meet current and emerging security challenges.”
The Senate is expected to screen the nominees in the coming days, after which a report will be presented for approval.
The appointment of new service chiefs comes at a crucial time, as the government grapples with a complex security landscape — including terrorism in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and violent crime across several other regions.
Political observers view the move as part of President Tinubu’s broader effort to inject fresh energy into the military hierarchy and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture.
Senate sources hinted that the confirmation process would be conducted swiftly to avoid delays in operational command transitions within the armed forces.
If confirmed, the new service chiefs will be tasked with implementing a renewed national security strategy, focusing on collaboration among security agencies and the protection of civilians in conflict-prone areas.
