President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), stepping in temporarily for Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is currently undergoing medical treatment abroad. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga disclosed this development in a statement on Wednesday, confirming Oluyede’s interim role in the leadership of the Nigerian Army.
Oluyede, a highly regarded officer with an extensive military career, will hold the COAS position until Lagbaja’s anticipated return. A seasoned officer, Oluyede previously served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps based in Jaji, Kaduna. The 56-year-old major general brings to this role decades of experience and a solid record in national defense.
Since his commissioning in 1992, Oluyede has undertaken various commands, including Platoon Commander and Adjutant at the 65 Battalion, Company Commander at the 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer with the Guards Brigade, and Commandant at the Amphibious Training School. His international experience includes participating in peacekeeping and stabilization missions such as the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) mission in Liberia, as well as Operations Harmony IV in Bakassi and HADIN KAI in Nigeria’s Northeast, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.
A respected figure among his peers, Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates from the 39th Regular Course, reinforcing their long-standing professional bond. Oluyede has been recognized for his commitment to service, earning accolades such as the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, and national distinctions, including membership in the prestigious National Institute. His promotion to Major-General in 2020 capped a career marked by both tactical expertise and strategic leadership.
With Oluyede’s appointment, the Nigerian Army leadership remains stable, with assurances that Lagbaja’s absence will not impact ongoing operations or objectives. The appointment aims to uphold seamless command continuity within Nigeria’s Armed Forces.