10 things to know about acting Chief of Army Staff, Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede

President Bola Tinubu announced on Wednesday the appointment of Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

According to a statement from his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Oluyede will serve in this role until the return of the substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is currently indisposed.

Here are some key details about the acting COAS:

1. Age: Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede is 56 years old.

2. Military Background: He is a member of the 39th Regular Course.

3. Commissioning: Oluyede was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, with an effective date of 1987, and he attained the rank of Major General in September 2020.

4. Previous Role: Before his appointment, he served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, located in Jaji, Kaduna.

5. Connection with Lt. General Lagbaja: Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates in the 39th Regular Course.

6. Command Experience: Since his commissioning, General Oluyede has held various commands, including Platoon Commander and Adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer at the Guards Brigade, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.

7. Operational Involvement: He has participated in several significant 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 the North East, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.

8. Awards and Honors: Oluyede has received multiple accolades, including the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, and membership in the National Institute. He has also earned the Field Command Medal, the Field Command Medal of Honour, the Field Training Medal, and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.

9. Family: The acting COAS is married and has three children.