President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the new acting Chief of Army Staff, according to a statement released by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday.
Oluyede, 56, will serve in the position pending the return of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the substantive Chief of Army Staff, who is currently indisposed and receiving medical treatment abroad.
Prior to his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army based in Jaji, Kaduna. He and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course.
Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 with an effective date of 1987, Oluyede rose to the rank of Major-General in September 2020. Throughout his career, he has held various command positions, including Platoon Commander and Adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
Oluyede has participated in several 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 theatre, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.
For his meritorious service, Oluyede has been awarded numerous honors, including the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute.
