President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS). A statement from Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the appointment, noting that Oluyede will assume the role temporarily until the return of the current Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
In response to recent rumors regarding Lagbaja’s status, Army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu clarified on October 20 that the COAS was on leave. Onanuga further emphasized that Lagbaja continues to hold the substantive COAS position.
Prior to his appointment, Oluyede was the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna. At 56, Oluyede shares a long-standing military history with Lagbaja, both being members of the 39th Regular Course. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 with an effective date from 1987, Oluyede advanced to Major-General in September 2020.
Oluyede has held several significant positions, including Platoon Commander, adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer at Guards Brigade, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School. His operational experience includes participation in the ECOMOG Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast, where he led the 27 Task Force Brigade.
Recognized for his distinguished service, Oluyede has been awarded several honors, including the Corps Medal of Honour, Grand Service Star, Field Command Medals, and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award. He is married and has three children.
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