President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
Oluyede will serve in the capacity of COAS until the return of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is currently unwell and undergoing treatment overseas.
President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this development in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
“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).
“Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,” the statement read.
Prior to his recent appointment, Oluyede held the position of the 56th Commander of the prestigious Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, located in Jaji, Kaduna.
At the age of 56, Oluyede was a coursemate of Lagbaja, both having been part of the 39th Regular Course.
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, with an effective date of 1987, and achieved the rank of Major-General in September 2020.
Throughout his career, Oluyede has undertaken numerous command roles since his commissioning as an officer.
His positions have included Platoon Commander and adjutant at the 65 Battalion, Company Commander at the 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer for the Guards Brigade, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
General Oluyede has been involved in 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 theatre, where he led the 27 Task Force Brigade.
He has received numerous accolades for his distinguished service across different operational fields, including the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, successful completion of the Staff Course, and membership in the National Institute.
