Abuja

President Bola Tinubu on Friday met with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, at the State House, Abuja. The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, came just days after the President received the Archbishop of Abuja, Bishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, as part of his ongoing consultations with religious and traditional leaders across the country. According to the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Mr. Dada Olusegun, who confirmed the engagement in a post on X, the discussion aimed at promoting dialogue and strengthening social trust among Nigerians. Read Also: Tinubu Strengthens Kano Ties With Appointment of Salihu Sagir Takai Presidency sources revealed that the meeting formed part of the President’s broader consultations with moral and cultural leaders to consolidate peace, enhance national unity, and address emerging social challenges. The sources added that these engagements align with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes inclusivity, interfaith cooperation, and sustainable national stability. The consultations also come amid global discourse on religious freedom, following the recent designation of Nigeria by the United States as a “Country of Particular Concern.” While the U.S. raised concerns over alleged violations of religious rights, the Federal Government has since dismissed the claims, maintaining that Nigeria’s Constitution fully guarantees freedom of religion and interfaith harmony.

Six bills successfully scaled the first reading stage during plenary at the Senate on Wednesday, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has announced on his social media platforms. According to Senator Jibrin, two of the bills were also considered and passed for second reading after robust debate among lawmakers. He stated, “The first is the Bill for an Act to establish a comprehensive framework for the transition to electric vehicles in Nigeria, promote local manufacturing, ensure environmental sustainability, and drive economic growth, 2025. The second is a Bill for an Act to establish the National Centre for Information and Communication Technology, Nkanu West, Enugu State, and for other related matters, 2025.” Read Also: Barau Jibrin Reaffirms Tinubu’s Commitment to Quality Healthcare, Inspects Seven Projects at AKTH He added that both bills were committed to the relevant committees for further legislative scrutiny. The Senate also deliberated on a motion moved by Senator Sani Musa on the demise of former Senator Ibrahim Musa Kontagora. Senator Jibrin recalled, “Senator Kontagora, who represented Niger North Senatorial District from 2011 to 2015, passed away in August. We observed a minute of silence in his honour and resolved to send a delegation to console his family and the government of Niger State.” The Deputy Senate President described the day’s proceedings as “a demonstration of the Senate’s commitment to legislative efficiency while honouring past leaders who have contributed to Nigeria’s democratic journey.”

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of five new Permanent Secretaries to fill existing vacancies in the Federal Civil Service. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Eno Olotu, on Monday in Abuja. According to the statement, the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are Ibrahim Ozi from the Federal Capital Territory, Ezemama Chidiebere from Imo State, Garba Usman representing the North Central Geo-Political Zone, Mohammed Ishiyaku from the North East, and Ukaire Chigbowu from the South East. Read Also: Meet Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Nigeria’s New Chief of Air Staff Walson-Jack said the appointments followed a rigorous and transparent selection process in line with President Tinubu’s commitment to meritocracy and excellence in the public service. She charged the new Permanent Secretaries to bring their wealth of experience and professionalism to bear in the discharge of their duties, in order to strengthen service delivery and support the government’s development objectives. The Head of Service commended President Tinubu for his commitment to transparency, merit-based recruitment, and professionalism in the Federal Civil Service, noting that the appointments reflect the administration’s dedication to building a competent and results-driven public service that meets the needs of Nigerians.

The Nigerian Senate has screened and confirmed the new Service Chiefs appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marking a major step in the administration’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national security and improve coordination among the armed forces. The confirmed Service Chiefs include General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff. President Tinubu’s letter requesting their confirmation was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary, urging lawmakers to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominees. According to the Presidency, the appointments form part of a strategic realignment designed to deepen professionalism, boost morale, and enhance inter-agency cooperation in tackling security challenges across the country. Read Also: Meet Rear Admiral Idi Abbas From Kano, Nigeria’s New Chief of Naval Staff Maj. Gen. Waidi Shaibu: A Seasoned Commander Taking Charge of the Nigerian Army Meet Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Nigeria’s New Chief of Air Staff The Service Chiefs, accompanied by senior military officers, arrived at the National Assembly Complex at about 10:00 a.m. for the screening, which was conducted under tight security. Senators held both open and closed sessions to assess the nominees’ qualifications and readiness for the roles. Presiding over the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the process as a constitutional responsibility aimed at ensuring that only the most competent and patriotic officers are entrusted with protecting the nation. “The screening is part of our constitutional duty. It is aimed at ensuring that only the most competent and patriotic officers are entrusted with safeguarding the nation. There is no need to ask them too many questions because we will be having a closed-door session with them,” Akpabio said. Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, urged the nominees to remain loyal to the President and the Constitution, stressing that discipline and unity of command are key to achieving national security objectives. “We urge all the nominees to be loyal to the Commander-in-Chief and loyal to our Constitution. This is the underpinning in service—loyalty. We are confident that, with your commitment and the zeal of Mr. President, total security will be achieved,” Barau stated. During the screening, the nominees pledged their readiness to serve the country with dedication and professionalism. Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke, the new Chief of Air Staff, said: “As the Chief of Air Staff, my duties are clear—to secure the lives, liberties, and aspirations of Nigerians through the power of air operations, in collaboration with my colleagues in the military and other security agencies.” Following the interactive session, the Senate moved into a closed-door meeting in line with parliamentary tradition to discuss sensitive security matters before officially confirming the nominees. It would be recalled that President Tinubu had met with the new military leaders on Monday, where they reportedly discussed current security challenges ahead of their formal assumption of duty. On October 24, President Tinubu approved a shake-up in the nation’s military hierarchy, appointing General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff to replace General Christopher Musa. Major-General Waheedi Shaibu was named Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff. Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye retained his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence. With the Senate’s confirmation, the new Service Chiefs are now expected to immediately assume office and drive forward the President’s agenda for a safer and more secure Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the Senate, seeking the screening and confirmation of the newly appointed Service Chiefs. The request was contained in a formal letter read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. According to the correspondence, the nominees include 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, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence. Read Also: Niger Delta Leaders Push Jonathan to Support Tinubu Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio directed that the nominees be referred to the Committee of the Whole for screening and possible confirmation next week. President Tinubu had earlier, on Monday, met with the newly appointed Service Chiefs behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Further details on the screening process are expected in the coming days.