Gloria Robert, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who noted that Oluyede would lead the Army in an acting capacity until the return of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is currently receiving medical treatment abroad.
“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. “Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.”
Prior to this role, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army in Jaji, Kaduna. Both Oluyede and Lagbaja are members of the 39th Regular Course, having been coursemates. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987, and achieved the rank of Major-General in September 2020.
Oluyede has held several key commands throughout his career, including roles as Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer in the Guards Brigade, and Commandant at the Amphibious Training School.
His experience spans various operations such as the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.
In recognition of his dedicated service, Oluyede has been honored with numerous awards, including the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, and Membership in the National Institute.
