Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has assumed duty as the substantive Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
His assumption of duty follows the performance of the symbolic lowering and hoisting of command flag at Army Headquarters on Monday, with the ceremonial ritual fully performed he is now the 24th COAS.
Lt. Gen Oluyede was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on October 30, 2024 in acting capacity following the death of his predecessor, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Musa, had on Nov. 1, handed him the insignia of office in an unusual fashion in line with the Armed Forces Act
The symbolic lowering and hoisting of the command flag which signifies the beginning of his tenure, came after the Senate and House of Representatives confirmed his appointment.
Prior to his new his appointment, Lt. Gen Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.
The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were course mates and members of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigeria Defence Academy, NDA.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987 and rose to the rank of Major General in September 2020