On Friday, November 1, 2024, Major General Olufemi Oluyede assumed office as the Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag COAS) at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
President and Commander-in-Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Oluyede to the role on October 30, pending the return of the substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who is currently on medical leave.
During the handover ceremony held at Defence Headquarters, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, noted that the appointment complies with the Armed Forces Act of 2004. He urged field commanders to remain dedicated to President Tinubu’s directive for national security and the protection of all Nigerians.
In his acceptance speech, Major General Oluyede thanked President Tinubu for the appointment and extended wishes for General Lagbaja’s swift recovery. Oluyede also appealed for the support of the Armed Forces and the public in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, pledging his loyalty to both the Commander-in-Chief and the Nigerian Constitution.
The event’s highlight was the symbolic handover of the Army Command flag from General Christopher Musa to the acting COAS, marking the official transfer of leadership.
Previously, Major General Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps at the Nigerian Army’s Jaji, Kaduna headquarters. A graduate of the 39th Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1992 and promoted to Major General in 2020. His decorated career includes numerous command and operational roles, such as Brigade Commander and General Officer Commanding, with participation in international peacekeeping missions like ECOMOG and national operations such as Operation HADIN KAI.
Major General Oluyede has earned various honors for his service and leadership across Nigeria’s military operations.
