President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
This appointment, announced in a statement on Wednesday by presidential media aide Bayo Onanuga, will remain in effect until the return of the substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
Amid speculation surrounding Lagbaja’s status, Army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu had clarified on October 20 that the COAS was on leave. Onanuga reaffirmed that Lagbaja remains the substantive Chief of Army Staff.
Before his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps, based in Jaji, Kaduna.
A member of the 39th Regular Course alongside Lagbaja, Oluyede was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, with a backdated commission effective from 1987.
He rose to the rank of Major General in September 2020.
Oluyede has held various command positions throughout his career, including Platoon Commander and Adjutant at the 65 Battalion, Company Commander at the 177 Guards Battalion, and Staff Officer in the Guards Brigade.
He also served as Commandant of the Amphibious Training School and commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade in Operation HADIN KAI, part of counter-insurgency efforts in the North East.
His operational experience extends to several international and regional missions, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and multiple domestic security operations.
Oluyede’s service has earned him numerous honors, such as the Corps Medal of Honour, Grand Service Star, and Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.
He is also a recipient of the Field Command Medal, Field Command Medal of Honour, and Field Training Medal. Additionally, he holds membership in the National Institute.
The 56-year-old general is married and has three children. His appointment as Acting COAS underscores continuity in leadership within the Nigerian Army during Lagbaja’s absence.
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