Senate Confirms Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff Amid Coup Rumors and Security Concerns

The Nigerian Senate has officially confirmed Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, along with Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff and other top military appointees, following President Bola Tinubu’s nomination five days earlier.

The confirmation, announced on October 29, 2025, marks a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria’s military leadership at a time of renewed insecurity and rising political tension.

General Oluyede, who previously served as Chief of Army Staff, now assumes overall command of the nation’s armed forces amid persistent threats from insurgents, bandits, and separatist groups.

His promotion to four-star rank signals continuity within the Tinubu administration’s military hierarchy but also underscores efforts to tighten command control following weeks of speculation about internal unrest within the ranks.

Sources within Defence Headquarters confirmed that about 20 officers were recently detained over alleged coup-related discussions, though the government has officially denied any threat to civilian rule.

The timing of these arrests — shortly before the Senate confirmation — has fueled interpretations that the reshuffle was designed not only to improve operational efficiency but also to reinforce loyalty at the highest levels of command.

At the Senate plenary, lawmakers emphasized the urgency of revitalizing the armed forces to address worsening insecurity across multiple fronts, from Boko Haram attacks in the Northeast to rising kidnapping and banditry in the Northwest and Middle Belt. Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the appointees’ experience and urged them to “restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security apparatus.”

Public reaction to the announcement on X (formerly Twitter) has been sharply divided. Supporters view the confirmation as a step toward stronger coordination and renewed vigor in counterinsurgency efforts. “Oluyede has the discipline and experience — this is the best time for change,” one user wrote.

Others, however, dismissed it as “a recycled hierarchy,” criticizing what they describe as one-party control over national institutions and pointing to the government’s repeated promises to end insecurity since 2015.

Military analysts note that Oluyede’s leadership will be tested immediately, with renewed attacks in Borno and Plateau states demanding decisive strategic shifts.

His appointment — and the symbolism of stability it carries — comes at a time when maintaining morale, both within the barracks and across the nation, may prove as crucial as any battlefield victory.

— Busterblog.com