In a significant move, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Nigerian Army. This decision comes as the current COAS, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, is undergoing treatment and is currently indisposed.
According to a statement released by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Oluyede will serve in this capacity until Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja returns to duty. Prior to this appointment, the 56-year-old Oluyede held the position of the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, which is based in Jaji, Kaduna.
Oluyede was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 and has risen through the ranks to become a Major-General as of September 2020. He is a member of the 39th Regular Course and has held various command positions throughout his military career.
His extensive experience includes participation in several key military 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, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.
Oluyede has received numerous accolades for his service, including the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award, among others.
This appointment is expected to enhance the leadership of the Nigerian Army during a critical period, as the country continues to address various security challenges.
