President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS). This was announced on Wednesday in a statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, who clarified that Oluyede will serve in the role temporarily as Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the current COAS, is receiving medical treatment abroad.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS),” the statement read.

Prior to this appointment, Oluyede was the 56th Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps based in Jaji, Kaduna. He is a seasoned officer and, along with General Lagbaja, was part of the 39th Regular Course, commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 with rank retroactive to 1987, and promoted to Major General in September 2020.

Throughout his career, Oluyede has held several key commands, including Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer in the Guards Brigade, and Commandant at the Amphibious Training School. He has also served in various operations, such as the ECOMOG Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in Nigeria’s North East, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.

In recognition of his distinguished service, Oluyede has been awarded honors including the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, and membership in the National Institute.