The Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag COAS), Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, will assume duties today Friday November 1, 2024 after a brief ceremony at the Defence Headquarters complex, Abuja.
Earlier on Thursday, Oluyede held a meeting with the the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Gwabin Musa at the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA), in Abuja.
General Oluyede was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday in acting capacity pending the return of Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is presently indisposed.
The appointment, which is an abberation, came a few days after Defence Headquarters claimed that the appointment of an Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag COAS) was alien to the military organisation, citing its Harmonised Armed Forces Act (as amended).
It specifically said that in line with the Act, the Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP), Major General Abdulsalam Ibrahim, had been holding and providing routine briefs to the Chief of Army Staff, General Lagbaja.
However, in a formal notice signed by Group Captain Chris Erondu on behalf of the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the tri-Service Headquarters said the handover ceremony would be held by 10 am this morning.
The notice formally read: “The formal taking over ceremony of the newly appointed acting Chief of Army Staff, Major General Olufemi Oluyede is scheduled for tomorrow.”
According to a statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday: “Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
Until his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.
“The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course.
“He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987. He rose to Major-General in September 2020.
“Oluyede has held many commands since his commissioning as an officer. He was Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, Commandant Amphibious Training School.
“General Oluyede participated in several operations, including 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 theatre of operations, where he commanded 27 Task Force Brigade.
“Oluyede has earned many honours for his meritorious service in various fields of operations.
“These include the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute. Others are the Field Command Medal, the Field Command Medal of Honour, and the Field Training Medal.
“Oluyede also received the coveted Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award. He is married and has three children.”