President Tinubu Appoints Major General Olufemi Oluyede as Acting Chief of Army Staff

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff, stepping in temporarily for Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is abroad for medical treatment.

 The appointment was disclosed in an official statement on Wednesday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS),” the statement read, adding that Oluyede will manage the duties pending Lagbaja’s recovery and return to duty.

Major General Oluyede, a seasoned and highly-decorated officer, previously served as the Commander of the elite Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna. His distinguished military background spans various strategic roles, including commanding the 27 Task Force Brigade in Operation HADIN KAI in Nigeria’s Northeast. His combat and operational experience also extend to the ECOMOG peacekeeping mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and multiple other roles within the Guards Brigade and the Amphibious Training School.

A graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Oluyede has steadily risen through the ranks since his commissioning as an officer in the 39th Regular Course in 1987, alongside his long-standing associate Lt. General Lagbaja. Promoted to Major General in 2020, Oluyede has earned numerous commendations, including the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, and recognition as a Member of the National Institute.

The appointment signals continuity within the Nigerian Army’s leadership as Oluyede assumes command, leveraging his extensive background in both operational command and leadership in high-stakes military settings.