Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
President Bola Tinubu, Wednesday, appointed Major General Olufemi Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff.
The appointment was contained in a statement by Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Gen. Oluyede would assume the role pending the return of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is currently abroad for medical treatment.
The statement read in part: “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).
“Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.”
Prior to this appointment, Oluyede was the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, stationed in Jaji, Kaduna.
The 56-year-old Oluyede shares a long history with Lagbaja, as both are members of the 39th Regular Course, commissioned as officers in 1987, with Oluyede being promoted to Major General in September 2020.
Oluyede’s extensive career includes numerous command roles, beginning as a Platoon Commander and Adjutant at 65 Battalion, advancing to Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion and later serving as a Staff Officer at the Guards Brigade and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
He has been a part of several notable operations, including the ECOMOG Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.
Over his career, Oluyede has received multiple honours which include the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, recognition for Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute, acknowledging his dedication and achievements in various fields of service.
Recall that some media reports had claimed that the COAS, Gen. Lagbaja was dead but the Nigeria Army had since dismissed the reports as false and misleading.
