President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
Oluyede will hold the fort as the COAS, pending the return of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, who is currently indisposed and is receiving treatment abroad.
This is according to a statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday.
“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 appointment, Oluyede was the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps, headquartered in Jaji, Kaduna.
The 56-year-old seasoned officer, Oluyede has an extensive military background, including having been commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 (effective from 1987) and advancing to the rank of Major-General in September 2020.
Oluyede and Lt. General Lagbaja were both members of the 39th Regular Course, sharing a long-standing professional history.
He has held various key positions within the Nigerian Army, including Platoon Commander at the 65 Battalion, Company Commander at the 177 Guards Battalion, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
With multiple field operations under his belt, Oluyede has played significant roles in missions like the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, where he led the 27 Task Force Brigade.
His meritorious service has been recognised with several honours, including the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, and Membership in the National Institute.
