President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Nigerian Army, according to a statement on Wednesday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Oluyede’s appointment comes as the current COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, is reported to be indisposed and receiving 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 confirmed. “Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.”
Before this appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna. Aged 56, he and Lagbaja are coursemates from the 39th Regular Course. Oluyede was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, with an effective date from 1987, and he rose to the rank of Major-General in September 2020.
Throughout his career, Oluyede has held various commands, including Platoon Commander and Adjutant at the 65 Battalion, Company Commander at the 177 Guards Battalion, and Staff Officer at the Guards Brigade. He has also served as Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
His operational experience includes participation in several missions, 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 theatre of operations, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.
Oluyede has received numerous honours for his dedicated service, including the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, and membership in the National Institute.
