President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the House of Representatives to confirm Olufemi Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
The president’s request was conveyed in a letter read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Tinubu stated that Oluyede’s confirmation aligns with Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act.
Highlighting Oluyede’s qualifications, Tinubu described the army chief as a professional whose contributions to the military and the country make him “well-suited for the role.”
The president urged lawmakers to confirm Oluyede “expeditiously.”
Tinubu had previously appointed Oluyede as acting COAS on October 30, following the prolonged illness of the former Army Chief, Taoreed Lagbaja.
Tragically, Lagbaja passed away on November 5 due to an undisclosed illness.
Following Lagbaja’s demise, Tinubu promoted Oluyede to the rank of lieutenant-general and officially decorated him with his new rank at a ceremony attended by top military officials.
Before his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna.
A seasoned military officer, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 and rose to the rank of major general in September 2020.
Oluyede and the late Lagbaja were members of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, underscoring their long-standing careers in the military.
In addition to seeking the House of Representatives’ approval, Tinubu has also asked the Senate to confirm Oluyede’s appointment as the substantive COAS.
