Nigeria’s Acting Chief of Army Staff pledges to work with stakeholders across the country to ensure sustainable peace and security amid ongoing challenges.
The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has vowed to establish enduring peace across the nation if he is officially appointed to the position.
He made this statement on Wednesday while appearing before the Joint Committee on Defence and Army of the House of Representatives at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
He emphasized that the current security situation in the country demands a collective effort from all Nigerians.
He additionally advocated for robust bilateral and multilateral alliances with neighboring nations, alongside close collaboration and collective efforts among the services and other security agencies.
He expressed his honor at being considered worthy to play a role in these efforts, and he looks forward to contributing his very best by collaborating with the National Assembly and other stakeholders to bring lasting peace across our beloved country, Nigeria.
I stand before you today seeking confirmation as the 24th Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army due to a tragic event that impacted our military and nation. The previous Chief, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, sadly passed away following a brief illness.
Before his passing, I had been appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed to act on his behalf until he was expected to fully recover and resume his duties as the Chief of Army Staff.
Following the passing of Lieutenant General Lagbaja and his state funeral on November 15, 2024, the President deemed me fit to fully carry on the outstanding work being done by the Army here. This decision ultimately led to my confirmation by the National Assembly.
For more than 30 years, I have dedicated my service to this great nation as an officer in the Nigerian Army. My extensive experience with national security matters across various levels—junior, middle, and senior—in the military profession has thoroughly prepared me for the assignment under consideration today.
Over the past five years or so, I have worked at senior operational and management levels within the Nigerian Army, playing a significant role in overseeing its overall operations.
Therefore, I find it challenging to entirely separate myself from the triumphs or challenges our esteemed army has faced in recent years. Nonetheless, I view my appointment as Chief of Army Staff as a unique opportunity to take the lead and implement further positive changes within the Nigerian Army, enabling it to achieve its full potential.
duties under the constitution.
If confirmed by this joint committee and entrusted with the mandate to lead the Nigerian Army, I commit to doing my utmost to earn the confidence placed in me by His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as you, members of the National Assembly, along with all Nigerians.
I want to emphasize that the security environment we face as a nation demands a collective effort from all Nigerians. We also need robust bilateral and multilateral alliances with our neighboring countries, along with strong collaboration and joint initiatives among various services and other security agencies.
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He expressed his happiness that the administration of His Excellency Bola Tinubu is headed in the right direction to create a secure environment conducive to socioeconomic growth, helping restore pride and success to our beloved country.
He also mentioned that the Nigerian Army needs tactical aircraft.
He explained, “Aircraft serve different roles; we have tactical and strategic levels of use. The army requires air support primarily at the tactical level during combat operations, ensuring aircraft are ready for immediate deployment. Meanwhile, the air force is expected to provide us with strategic coverage as they lead in that area. Therefore, it’s essential for those aircraft and our aviation units to back up our missions.”
He stated that there is strong collaboration between the Armed Forces and expressed his intention to enhance this partnership to ensure improved security and socio-economic development for Nigeria.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Honorable Babajimi Benson, stated that Nigeria faces a continually evolving range of security issues, including insurgency and banditry as well as communal conflicts and cyber threats.
He mentioned that for more than ten years, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have been leading efforts to address these challenges by initiating numerous operations and offering crucial support to internal security measures.
He acknowledged the significant successes achieved in recent years but emphasized that more efforts are needed to attain sustainable peace throughout all regions of the country.
The present dynamics of global security require innovative and adaptable strategies. Threats have moved beyond traditional battlefields to encompass cyberspace, economic sectors, and even the socio-political structures within nations.
He emphasized the need to focus on a forward-looking strategy for national defense, ensuring our military is properly equipped and trained to handle both traditional and new threats.
He stated that their responsibility extended beyond evaluating the qualifications and vision of the nominee for Chief of Army Staff; it also involved developing a collaborative plan to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
He stated that, as partners in the quest for a secure and prosperous Nigeria, the House remains unwavering in its dedication to legislative oversight and support for the Armed Forces.
Benson stated that the House will persist in offering essential legal structures, pushing for sufficient funding, and overseeing the execution of appropriations to guarantee accountability and transparency in military operations.
He emphasized that the role entails significant responsibility, and therefore, the Chief of Army Staff must demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and a strong commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
Upon confirmation, you will be required to enhance collaboration among security agencies, prioritize troop welfare, and maintain the trust of Nigerians. This committee intends to ask questions that reflect both our constituents’ concerns and those of the nation as a whole. We strongly encourage you to offer thorough and honest responses to inform our discussions effectively.
To conclude, I extend my best wishes to the nominee for this screening process. Your position is crucial in Nigeria’s path towards enduring peace and stability, and we eagerly anticipate collaborating with you to attain this objective.
Benson stated that the results of the screening exercise would be evaluated and submitted to the House during Thursday’s plenary session.
