President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff.
“Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja,” revealed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, in a statement released on Wednesday evening.
The statement, titled “President Tinubu appoints Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as acting Chief of Army Staff,” highlights Oluyede’s new role. Prior to this appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.
At 56 years old, Oluyede is a coursemate of Lt. General Lagbaja, both having been members of the 39th Regular Course. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, backdated to 1987, and rose to the rank of Major General in September 2020.
Throughout his military career, Oluyede has held numerous commands since his commissioning. His roles have included Platoon Commander and Adjutant at the 65 Battalion, Company Commander at the 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer for the Guards Brigade, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
He has participated in several 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 Northeast theatre of operations, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.
Onanuga noted that the acting Army Chief has received numerous honors for his meritorious service in various operational fields.
These accolades include the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, recognition for Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute. Additional awards include the Field Command Medal, the Field Command Medal of Honour, and the Field Training Medal. He also received the prestigious Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.
Oluyede is married and has three children.
