Tinubu elevates Acting COAS Oluyede to Lieutenant General
President Bola Tinubu has promoted Acting Chief of Army Staff Olufemi Oluyede from Major General to Lieutenant General.
The promotion came just days after Oluyede’s appointment as acting army chief, sources confirmed to newsmen on Tuesday.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga announced the appointment of Olufemi Oluyede as Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30, 2024, following weeks of rumors regarding the death of Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja. The Defence Headquarters has since refuted these rumors, clarifying that Lagbaja is on leave.
“Oluyede will serve as acting COAS until the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,” Onanuga said in a statement.
Before his appointment, Olufemi Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the Nigerian Army’s elite Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna.
The 56-year-old officer and Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja were coursemates in the 39th Regular Course.
Olufemi Oluyede was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, with effect from 1987, and rose to the rank of Major General in September 2020.
Throughout his career, Oluyede has held various key positions, including Platoon Commander and Adjutant at the 65 Battalion, Company Commander at the 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer at the Guards Brigade, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
He has also participated in numerous 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, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.
Olufemi Oluyede has received numerous honors in recognition of his distinguished service across various operational fields. These include the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, the Passing Staff Course award, and membership in the National Institute.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at NeptunePrime.
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