The Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag COAS), Major General Olufemi Oluyede, on Friday assumed duties at the Nigerian Army Headquarters (AHQ), Abuja following his appointment on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, has appointed General Oluyede in acting capacity as COAS pending the return of the substantive COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who is currently on medical leave.
Speaking at the formal taking-over ceremony at Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, emphasized that the appointment of Oluyede aligns with the Armed Forces Act of 2004, stressing that the military could not afford to let insecurity prevail, calling for support for the acting COAS in his new assignment.
General Musa reminded all field commanders of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to the Armed Forces and the tasks at hand, urging them not to relent in guaranteeing national security and the safety of all Nigerians.
Responding, the Acting COAS, General Oluyede, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for finding him worthy of the appointment, praying for the speedy recuperation of the COAS, General Lagbaja.
The Ag COAS solicited support from all personnel of the Armed Forces and Nigerians in general, in tackling the security challenges bedeviling the country. He pledged his loyalty to the Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Highlight of the event was the formal handover of Army Command flag by the CDS, General Christopher Musa to the acting Chief of Army Staff.
Until his appointment, Major General Olufemi Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army in Jaji, Kaduna.
A member of the 39th Regular Combatant Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General Oluyede was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1992 and rose steadily to the enviable rank of Major General in September 2020. His illustrious career traverse various command, staff and instructional appointments such as Platoon Commander, Adjutant, Company Commander, Brigade commander, and General Officer Commanding, amongst several other appointments.
He has participated in several operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East theatre of operations, where he commanded 27 Task Force Brigade and Sector 2.
Major General Olufemi Oluyede also earned several honours and awards for his meritorious service in diverse fields of operation.