President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) following the temporary unavailability of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is abroad receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. Major General Oluyede, the current Commander of the Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna, will oversee the responsibilities of the Chief of Army Staff until Lagbaja’s return.
A distinguished officer, Oluyede was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 with his military service backdated to 1987. Rising through the ranks, he became a Major-General in September 2020. Known for his leadership and strategic experience, Oluyede has held numerous key positions in the Nigerian Army, including Platoon Commander, Company Commander, Staff Officer for the Guards Brigade, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
President Tinubu Appoints Major General Olufemi Oluyede as Acting Chief of Army Staff
He has been actively involved in high-profile military operations, such as the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, where he led the 27 Task Force Brigade.
The role of Chief of Army Staff is one of the highest military appointments, with significant responsibilities in guiding national defense strategies and operational policies. This position, appointed by the President, reports to the Chief of Defence Staff, who in turn answers to the Defence Minister and ultimately the President. Oluyede now becomes the 28th individual to assume the Chief of Army Staff title since its establishment in 1966.
Below is a chronological list of Nigeria’s Chiefs of Army Staff and their years in office:
Chiefs of Army Staff of Nigeria (1966–Present)
- Yakubu Gowon – January 1966
- Joseph Akahan – 1967
- Hassan Katsina – 1968–1971
- David Ejoor – 1971–1975
- Theophilus Danjuma – 1975–1979
- Ipoola Akinrinade – 1979–1981
- Gibson Jalo – 1981–1983
- Mohammed Wushishi – 1983–1985
- Ibrahim Babangida – 1985
- Sani Abacha – 1985–1990
- Salihu Ibrahim – 1990–1993
- Aliyu Gusau – 1993
- Chris Alli – 1993–1994
- Alwali Kazir – 1994–1996
- Ishaya Bamaiyi – 1996–1999
- Victor Malu – 1999–2001
- Alexander Ogomudia – 2001–2003
- Martin Luther Agwai – 2003–2006
- Owoye Azazi – 2006–2007
- Luka Yusuf – 2007–2008
- Abdulrahman Dambazau – 2008–2010
- Azubuike Ihejirika – 2010–2014
- Kenneth Minimah – 2014–2015
- Tukur Buratai – 2015–2021
- Ibrahim Attahiru – January 2021–May 2021
- Farouk Yahaya – May 2021–June 2023
- Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja – June 2023–Present
