The Presidency on Wednesday morning announced the death of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja. He was aged 56.
A statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said that General Lagbaja “passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.”
The statement said that “President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time.
“He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation.”
The full statement reads: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56.
“He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.
“Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.
“His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.
“Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
“He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
“An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.
“Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.
“President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation.”
Early Life
a. Born in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, Osun State on 28 February 1968.
b. Attended Local Authority Teachers College Demonstration School Osogbo between 1973 – 1979.
Attended St Charles Grammar School, Osogbo from 1979 – 1984.
d. Attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan from 1984 to 1986 and obtained West African School Certificate (Advanced Level).
e. Admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy on 12 September 1987 as a member of 39th Regular Course.
f. Commissioned as 2Lt on 19 September 1992 into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps
Courses Attended
a. Company Amphibious Operations Course – Amphibious Training School (May – June 1993). – C.
b. Young Officers’ Course (Infantry) – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (September – December 1993). – C+
c. Basic Airborne Course – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (March – April 1995). – Not Graded.
d. Advanced Airborne Course – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (November – December 1995). – Not Graded
e. Amphibious Staff Operations Course – Amphibious Training School (September – December 1997). – C
f. Company Commanders’ Course – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (February – May 2003). – C+
g. Battalion Commanders’ Course – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (September – December 2009). – B
h. Junior Staff Course – Armed Forces Command and Staff (May – December 2000). – C+
i. Senior Staff Course – Armed Forces Command and Staff (August 2005 – July 2006). – C+
j. Military Observers Course – Peacekeeping Wing Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (February – May 2008). – B
k. ECOWAS Standby Force Battalion Command Post Course – Peacekeeping Centre, Bamako, Mali – (June – August 2010). – Not Graded
l. Strategy and Leadership Course – US Army War College (April 2003 – June 2014). – Not Graded
Command/Staff/Instructional Appointments
a. 93 Battalion – 1992 – 1995 as a Platoon commander.
b. 72 Special Forces Battalion – 1995 – 2001 as a Platoon commander.
c. Nigerian Defence Academy – 2001 – 2004 as an Instructor.
d. Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations – 2004 – Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of peacekeeping.
e. Armed Forces Command and Staff College – July 2005 – February 2006 – Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of training.
f. Armed Forces Command and Staff College – 2006 – 2009 – Directing Staff.
g. Headquarters 81 Division – 2009 – 2012 – Deputy Chief of Staff G1 (Administration).
h. 72 Special Forces Battalion Makurdi – 2012 – 2013 and 2014 – 2015 –Commanding Officer.
i. Headquarters 8 Task Force Division Monguno – 2016 – 2017 – Chief of Staff.
j. Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations – January – December 2018 – Acting Director of Operations.
k. Headquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja, Lagos State – December 2018 – April 2019 – Commander.
l. Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State – April 2019 – January 2020 – Commander.
m. Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations – January 2020 – March 2021 – Director Force Generation.
n. Headquarters 82 Division – March 2021 – August 2022 – General Officer Commanding.
o. Headquarters 1 Division – August 2022 – Date – General Officer Commanding.
Promotion History
a. Second Lieutenant – 12 September 1987.
b. Lieutenant – 12 September 1991.
c. Captain – 12 September 1995.
d. Major – 12 September 2000.
e. Lieutenant Colonel – 12 September 2005.
f. Colonel – 12 September 2010.
g. Brigadier General – 12 September 2015.
h. Major General – 12 September 2019.
Honours/Awards
a. Forces Service Star.
b. Meritorious Service Star.
c. Distinguished Service Star.
d. Passed Staff Course (+).
e. Fellows United States Army War College.
f. Command Medal.
g. Field Command Medal.
h. Field Command Medal of Honour.
i. General Operations Medal.
j. Operation Harmony Medal.
k. United Nations Peacekeeping Operation Medal.
l. Operation LAFIYA DOLE Medal.
Academic Qualifications
a. Bsc Geography – Nigerian Defence Academy (2001).
b. Msc Strategic Studies – US Army War College (2014).
Operations Participated
a. Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi Peninsula – January 1996 – June 2000.
b. United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) – 2004 – 2005.
c. Operation ZAKI – September 2012 – April 2013/July 2014 – December 2015 – Internal Security Operation in Benue State.
d. Operation LAFIYA DOLE – December 2015 – January 2018.
e. Operation MESA/Operation UDO KA – March 2021 – August 2022 – Internal Security Operation in South East Zone Nigeria (Anambra/Abia/Ebonyi/Enugu and Imo States).
f. Operation FOREST SANITY – Aug 2022 – Date – Internal Security Operation in Kaduna/Niger States.
Marital Status
Happily married to Mrs Mariya Abiodun-Lagbaja and the marriage is blessed with two children.
Hobbies
Watching documentary and reading biographies.
