President Bola Tinubu has appointed Maj Gen Olufemi Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff.
“Oluyede will serve in this capacity until the return of the current Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, who is currently indisposed,” stated Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, in a statement released Wednesday evening.
The statement, titled “President Tinubu Appoints Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Acting Chief of Army Staff,” noted that prior to this appointment, Oluyede was the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.
The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were classmates in the 39th Regular Course. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, with an effective date of 1987, 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 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer in the Guards Brigade, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
Oluyede has participated in several significant operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.
Mr. Onanuga noted that the acting army chief has received numerous honors for his distinguished service in various operational roles. These accolades include the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute.
Additionally, he has been awarded the Field Command Medal, the Field Command Medal of Honour, and the Field Training Medal, along with the prestigious Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award. Oluyede is married and has three children.
