From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
This request, sent on November 22, aligns with the constitutional provisions outlined in Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, according to a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Oluyede was appointed as Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30, following the illness of his predecessor, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on November 5.
In a statement, Onanuga emphasised Tinubu’s confidence in Oluyede’s leadership capabilities, stating, “The President believes that Lt. Gen. Oluyede possesses the professional integrity and experience necessary to lead and inspire the army in ensuring national security and stability.”
Before his appointment as Acting COAS, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 and has held numerous command positions throughout his career, including participation in operations such as ECOMOG in Liberia and Operation Hadin Kai in Nigeria’s North-East.