JUST IN: Tinubu seeks Senate confirmation of Lt. Gen. Oluyede as CoAS

By Kunle Sanni

President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff.

The request, conveyed in a letter sent to the Senate on Wednesday, was made in accordance with Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act.

Lt. Gen. Oluyede was appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30 following the illness of his predecessor, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. Tragically, Gen. Lagbaja passed away on November 5.

In his letter, President Tinubu expressed confidence in Oluyede’s leadership capabilities, professional integrity, and extensive military experience, noting his ability to inspire and lead the Nigerian Army toward achieving national security and stability.

A member of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Lt. Gen. Oluyede has held numerous key positions throughout his career. Before his appointment as Acting Chief of Army Staff, he served as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna.

Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, with retroactive seniority from 1987, Oluyede rose to the rank of Major General in September 2020. Over the years, he has served in several command and staff roles, including:

Platoon Commander and Adjutant at 65 Battalion

Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion

Staff Officer in the Guards Brigade

Commandant of the Amphibious Training School

He has also participated in major military 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 Nigeria’s North-East, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.

For his exemplary service, Lt. Gen. Oluyede has been honored with several awards, including:

Corps Medal of Honour

Grand Service Star

Field Command Medal of Honour

Field Training Medal

Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award

He is also a member of the National Institute and has earned distinctions such as Passing the Staff Course and the Field Command Medal.

Lt. Gen. Oluyede is married and has three children.

The Senate is expected to deliberate on the confirmation request in the coming days.