Military leaders pledge technology-driven reforms and improved troop welfare as lawmakers endorse President Tinubu’s defence team and new borrowing plan to sustain national stability.
Nigeria’s Senate has confirmed the appointment of the newly nominated Service Chiefs following a two-hour closed-door session on Wednesday, pledging to support sweeping military and security sector reforms aimed at tackling insecurity, boosting troop morale, and advancing local defence production.
At the same plenary, the upper chamber approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to secure a fresh $2.347 billion loan from the international capital market to part-finance the 2025 budget deficit and refinance maturing Eurobonds. The House of Representatives also gave concurrent approval to the borrowing plan, paving the way for immediate implementation.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the confirmation of the new defence leadership team, comprising Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff.
During their screening, the nominees outlined a unified vision to reposition the armed forces through innovation, technology, and synergy. Lieutenant General Oluyede, a seasoned combat veteran, pledged to pursue local production of defence equipment to reduce dependence on costly foreign imports.
“We can’t continue to buy equipment from abroad when our challenges are local. We must build our own capacity to produce what we need to fight and defend the nation,” he said.
Oluyede further promised to lead intelligence-driven, multi-agency operations and place troop welfare at the heart of his administration. “Morale is the backbone of fighting power. I will prioritise housing, healthcare, education for families, and prompt payment of benefits,” he assured.
Rear Admiral Abbas vowed to strengthen maritime security through the deployment of modern surveillance systems, including drones, to combat oil theft, piracy, and illegal bunkering. Rejecting the proposal for a separate coast guard, he insisted that better funding and equipment for the navy would suffice.
“The navy already performs coast guard duties. Instead of duplicating agencies, government should strengthen existing structures,” Abbas stated.
He added that the navy’s Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy would enhance coordination with land and air forces to deliver a unified response to national security threats.
Air Vice Marshal Aneke pledged to build a “combat-ready, disciplined, and intelligent” air force that leverages drones, precision targeting, and rapid-response capabilities. “Modern warfare is driven by technology. We will invest in unmanned systems, research, and innovation,” he said, assuring lawmakers that the Super Tucano fleet remains fully operational and effective.
The service chiefs collectively reaffirmed their loyalty to President Tinubu’s vision of a secure and self-reliant nation, anchored on synergy and innovation across the armed forces.
Reacting to the confirmation, Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, commended the Senate for its swift and coordinated action, describing it as a testament to the growing collaboration between the executive and legislative arms.
“The appointment of these distinguished officers represents a strategic step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and fostering synergy among the armed forces,” Lado stated.
Meanwhile, the Senate and House of Representatives also approved Tinubu’s request for new external borrowing to sustain the 2025 Appropriation Act and maintain Nigeria’s credit profile.
The legislative approval authorises the federal government to raise $2.347 billion through Eurobond issuance, loan syndications, and other international financial mechanisms, alongside a debut $500 million Sovereign Sukuk to fund critical infrastructure.
Presenting the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts report, Senator Wamakko Magatarkada Aliyu explained that the borrowing was necessary to maintain fiscal stability and finance key government projects.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, backed the move, noting that the loan was already factored into the 2025 fiscal framework. “It is essential to ensure the smooth implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill,” he said.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole added that loans targeted at productive sectors could stimulate growth and create jobs. “There’s nothing wrong with borrowing if it’s properly structured and used to address critical issues like unemployment and infrastructure,” he remarked.
Despite concerns about Nigeria’s rising debt profile, now exceeding ₦97 trillion, government officials insist that the borrowings are strategic, aimed at bridging infrastructure gaps and sustaining economic stability.
With the approvals secured, the federal government is expected to proceed with arrangements for the new Eurobond and Sukuk issuances, which officials say will bolster fiscal resilience, investor confidence, and the administration’s broader national security and economic reform agenda.
0 Comments