THE Senate has confirmed the nomination of Olufemi Oluyede, a lieutenant general, as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
The Senate confirmed Oluyede’s appointments following the consideration of reports by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Abdulaziz Musa (Katsina Central).
The committee’s recommendations were unanimously adopted by the upper chamber, paving the way for the new appointment.
The House of Representatives had earlier confirmed Oluyede as the substantive COAS on Thursday, November 29.
The confirmation followed his screening by the House Joint Committee on Defence and Army the previous day.
The committee’s report was presented during Thursday’s plenary by its chairman, Babajimi Benson, who urged the House to approve his appointment.
The House of Representatives unanimously confirmed him as the substantive Army chief, following a voice vote.
Oluyede’s extensive military background, including experience in critical war zones and expertise in negotiation and strategic security, was highlighted in the report.
During his screening, Oluyede committed to leveraging his experience to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges, specifically in combating terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.
The screening also assessed his plans for military funding, soldier welfare, equipment upgrades, recruitment, training, accountability, and media relations.
The ICIR reported on October 30 that President Bola Tinubu appointed Oluyede, then a major general, to act in place of his ailing predecessor, Taoreed Lagbaja, who eventually died.
On Tuesday, November 5, Tinubu promoted Oluyede,to the rank of lieutenant general amid growing speculations over the COAS Taoreed Lagbaja’s health. Lagbaja died on November 5 at the age of 56.
Tinubu announced the death of Lagbaja on Wednesday, November 6, and he was laid to rest in Abuja on Friday, November 11.
The President wrote to the Senate on Friday, November 23, seeking confirmation of Oluyede as the substantive COAS.
In the letter, Tinubu sought Oluyede’s confirmation in accordance with the provision of section 218(2) of the 1999 constitution as amended and section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act.
Before he was appointed acting COAS, Oluyede served as the 56th commander of the Nigerian Army’s elite Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna.
With a military career spanning over three decades, Oluyede was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, although his commission was backdated to 1987. He rose through the ranks, becoming a major general in September 2020.
Oluyede’s extensive command experience includes roles such as platoon commander, company commander, staff officer, and commandant of the Amphibious Training School. He has also participated in several notable operations.
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