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Major General Olufemi Oluyede: 10 Key Facts About Nigeria’s Acting Chief of Army Staff

Published by Tope Fakinlede on October 31st, 2024.

Major General Olufemi Oluyede: 10 Key Facts About Nigeria’s Acting Chief of Army Staff

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) due to the temporary absence of the current COAS, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja. This appointment highlights Oluyede’s significant military experience and commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s military leadership amid ongoing security challenges.

Here are ten important facts about him:

1. Educational Background: Oluyede has received extensive military training both in Nigeria and abroad, equipping him for leadership in challenging operational settings.

2. Personal Life: A devoted family man, he is married and has three children. At 56, he is one of the youngest individuals to serve as Chief of Army Staff in Nigeria’s history.

3. Classmates with General Lagbaja: Oluyede and General Lagbaja are former classmates from the Nigerian Army’s 39th Regular Course, which helped strengthen their professional ties.

4. Commander of the Infantry Corps: Prior to his new role, he served as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna State.

5. Military Training: He is an alumnus of the Nigerian Army’s 39th Regular Course, alongside General Lagbaja.

6. Commissioned Career: Oluyede was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, with a retroactive effective date of 1987, and achieved the rank of Major General in 2020.

7. Key Positions Held: Throughout his career, he has held several significant roles, including Platoon Commander, Company Commander, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.

8. Operational Experience: He has participated in crucial military operations, such as the ECOMOG Mission in Liberia and Operation HADIN KAI in northeastern Nigeria, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.

9. Honors and Recognition: Oluyede has earned numerous awards for his dedication and exemplary service throughout his military career.

10. Acting COAS Appointment: His recent appointment as acting COAS comes in light of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja’s temporary unavailability, showcasing Oluyede’s readiness to lead the army during this time.