President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
This was announced on Wednesday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who explained that Oluyede will temporarily assume the role due to the current COAS, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, being indisposed and 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),” stated Onanuga. “Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.”
Before this appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, based in Jaji, Kaduna. At 56 years old, he and Lagbaja are coursemates from the 39th Regular Course, having been commissioned as officers in 1992, with Oluyede achieving the rank of Major-General in 2020.
Oluyede brings a wealth of experience, having held multiple command positions, including roles as Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School. He also participated in critical 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 Nigeria’s North East, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.
Throughout his career, Oluyede has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, and Membership in the National Institute.
