By Dipo Olowookere
Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede has been appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
A statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday night said Mr Oluyede would occupy the position until “the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.”
Mr Lagbaja has not been seen in public for a while. He was not seen during the October 1, 2024, Independence Day anniversary.
His absence generated reactions a few weeks ago, prompting speculations that he may be receiving medical attention outside the country.
Mr Onanuga in the statement today said the acting COAS and Mr Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course.
Until his appointment, the 56-year-old acting COAS served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987. He rose to Major-General in September 2020.
The army chief 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.
Mr 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.
He 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. He also received the coveted Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.