President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff.
Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, made the announcement in a statement on Wednesday.
The appointment became expedient as the current Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, is temporarily unavailable due to health reasons.
Major General Oluyede, who previously served as the 56th Commander of the Nigerian Army’s Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna, will oversee operations in an acting capacity until Lagbaja’s return the statement indicated.
Explaining further the statement said Oluyede and Lagbaja share a long-standing professional history, both being graduates of the 39th Regular Course at the Nigerian Defence Academy.
With a distinguished military career that began in 1992, Oluyede has held several significant posts, including Platoon Commander, Company Commander in the Guards Battalion, and Staff Officer in the Guards Brigade.
He has also led operations abroad and domestically, including service in the ECOMOG peacekeeping mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and as Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade during the ongoing Operation HADIN KAI in Nigeria’s North East.
Throughout his career, Oluyede has received numerous commendations for his service, including the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.
The appointment is coming amid efforts to maintain continuity in the Nigerian Army’s leadership, with Oluyede’s extensive operational experience expected to support the army’s stability and effectiveness.
President Tinubu’s administration expressed confidence in Oluyede’s capabilities, emphasizing the importance of leadership continuity in the country’s security operations.