President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), following the temporary indisposition of the substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
The appointment was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that Oluyede will hold the position pending Lagbaja’s return from 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 his appointment, Major General Oluyede was the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army in Jaji, Kaduna. A seasoned military officer, Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Oluyede was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987, and attained the rank of Major General in September 2020.
He has held several command positions throughout his career, including Platoon Commander at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
His distinguished military service includes participation in international and domestic operations, such as the 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.
Throughout his career, Oluyede has received several honors, including the Corps Medal of Honour, Grand Service Star, and recognition as a Member of the National Institute.
