President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as acting Chief of Army Staff, temporarily standing in for Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is currently unwell and receiving medical attention abroad. This appointment was confirmed on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) pending the return of the indisposed Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,” the statement read.

Prior to this role, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army in Jaji, Kaduna. Aged 56, he shares a military history with Lagbaja, as both were coursemates in the 39th Regular Course and were commissioned as officers in 1992. Oluyede rose to the rank of Major General in 2020 and has since held various command positions, including Platoon Commander at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.

Oluyede’s extensive military background includes participation in key missions, such as the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in Nigeria’s northeast, where he led the 27 Task Force Brigade.

He has received several commendations, including the Corps Medal of Honour, Grand Service Star, and the coveted Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.

While his appointment as acting COAS addresses the immediate need for continuity, the Defence Headquarters recently refuted reports of any permanent leadership change, asserting that Lagbaja is “hale and hearty” and currently on annual leave. Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, appointed by Tinubu in June 2023 as the 27th COAS, succeeded Faruk Yahaya in the role.