President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Army Staff. This was disclosed in a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday.
“In his letter sent today, President Tinubu seeks Oluyede’s confirmation in accordance with the provision of Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement.
President Tinubu appointed Oluyede as Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30, 2024, following the health challenges of his predecessor, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. Sadly, Lagbaja passed away on November 5. Since assuming the acting role, Oluyede has gained recognition for his efforts to strengthen national security.
Lt. General Oluyede has an impressive career background. A member of the Nigerian Army’s 39th Regular Course, he served as the Commander of the Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna, before his current appointment. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, Oluyede steadily rose through the ranks, achieving the position of Major General in 2020.
Over the years, Oluyede has held numerous leadership roles, including Platoon Commander, Commandant of the Amphibious Training School, and Brigade Commander in operations like the ECOWAS mission in Liberia and counterinsurgency missions in Nigeria’s North East. His dedication has earned him several prestigious awards, such as the Corps Medal of Honour and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.
With three decades of military experience, Oluyede has proven himself as a capable leader. The president believes his confirmation will further enhance the army’s operational efficiency and bolster national security. Lt. General Oluyede is married and has three children.
