By Amofokhai Williams
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has named Major General Olufemi Oluyede as Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), stepping in during the absence of the substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, said Major General Oluyede, who previously led the Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna, brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Aged 56, he and General Lagbaja were coursemates in the 39th Regular Course, with Oluyede commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 (retroactive to 1987).
Rising to the rank of Major General in 2020, Oluyede has since held multiple command positions, including Platoon Commander at 65 Battalion and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
His service history features participation in pivotal military operations such as the 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.
Throughout his career, he has received numerous honours, including the Grand Service Star, Field Command Medal of Honour, and the prestigious Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.
Oluyede is married and has three children.