President Bola Tinubu has formally petitioned the Senate for the confirmation of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff. Corresponding communication was also forwarded to the House of Representatives.
In letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, President Tinubu cited the constitutional authority provided under Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act. The letters outlined his appeal for legislative endorsement of Oluyede’s position.
Lieutenant General Oluyede assumed the role of Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30, following the health challenges of his predecessor, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who tragically passed away on November 5.
President Tinubu has expressed confidence in Oluyede’s abilities, describing him as a seasoned officer with commendable professional ethics and substantial expertise to steer the Nigerian Army towards enhanced national security.
Before his interim appointment, Oluyede, a product of the Nigerian Army’s 39th Regular Course, held various pivotal roles, including serving as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna.
Oluyede’s military journey began in 1992, although his commissioning retroactively took effect in 1987. Rising to the rank of Major-General in 2020, he has since held numerous command and operational roles.
Oluyede’s extensive portfolio includes participation in notable missions such as the ECOMOG operation in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in Nigeria’s North-East region, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.
