President Bola Tinubu has officially written to the Senate seeking confirmation of Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff.
The request was disclosed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesperson, on Friday.
The letter to the Senate cites Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, which require Senate approval for such appointments.
Lt. Gen. Oluyede has been serving as the Acting Chief of Army Staff since October 30, 2024, following the illness of his predecessor, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who sadly passed away on November 5, 2024.
In the statement, President Tinubu expressed confidence in Oluyede’s leadership abilities, professional integrity, and extensive experience.
“President Tinubu is confident about the leadership qualities, professional integrity, and experience of Lt. General Oluyede to lead and inspire the army to ensure national security and stability,” Onanuga said.
About Lt. Gen. Oluyede
- A graduate of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Oluyede was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, with a retroactive effective date of 1987.
- He was promoted to Major-General in September 2020.
- Before his current role, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.
- Throughout his career, he has held several command positions, earning a reputation for professionalism and dedication.
The Senate is expected to deliberate on the confirmation of Oluyede’s appointment in the coming days.
If confirmed, he will officially take on the role of Chief of Army Staff, tasked with overseeing the Nigerian Army’s operations and contributing to the nation’s security and stability.
