Maj. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede is set to assume duties as the acting Chief of Army Staff on Friday, November 1.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Oluyede on Wednesday to serve in an acting capacity due to the health-related absence of the substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja.
This decision follows a recent statement from the Defence Headquarters, which on October 21 emphasized that the position of Acting Chief of Army Staff was not officially recognized under the Harmonised Armed Forces Act. Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, clarified that “no such appointment exists within the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” addressing earlier reports that had stirred public concern.
The statement was in response to a social media post by Jackson Ude, an aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, which falsely claimed that Lt Gen Lagbaja had passed away. In a swift response on X, the Nigerian Army flagged the claim as “fake news.”
In an official notice signed by Group Captain Chris Erondu on behalf of Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, it was confirmed that the formal handover ceremony for Maj. Gen. Oluyede will take place on Friday at 10 a.m. in the Defence Headquarters conference room, Abuja.
The notice reads: “The formal taking over ceremony of the newly appointed acting Chief of Army Staff, Major General Olufemi Oluyede is scheduled for tomorrow as follows: Date: 1 November 2024; Time: 10000hrs; Venue: DHQ Conference Room, Abuja.”
