Reps confirm Oluyede as army chief

The house of representatives has confirmed Olufemi Oluyede as the chief of army staff (COAS).

The lower legislative chamber confirmed Oluyede after a report was presented by Babajimi Benson, chairman of the committee on defence.

The house of representatives joint committee on army and defence had screened Oluyede on Wednesday.

While moving a motion for the consideration of the report, Benson said Oluyede was quizzed on inter-agency relations and other issues affecting the military.

He said the nominee “gave a very good account of himself” and that the committee was satisfied with his academic and professional qualifications, exposure, conduct, character, and experience.

The house subsequently adopted the report and confirmed Oluyede’s appointment as COAS.

During his screening, Oluyede said his exposure to national security issues qualifies him to lead the army.

“In the past five years, I have served at the senior and management level in the Nigerian Army and I have somewhat been part of the running of the service in its entirety, thus I cannot completely dissolve myself from the successes and setbacks of our great army,” he said.

“I see my nomination as a privilege and opportunity to be in the driver’s seat to make positive changes to the Nigerian Army to enable it to fulfil its constitutional responsibility.”

Tinubu appointed Oluyede as acting COAS on October 30, following the prolonged illness of Taoreed Lagbaja, the former army chief.

On November 5, Lagbaja died of an undisclosed illness. The president subsequently promoted Oluyede to the rank of lieutenant-general.

Before his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th commander of the infantry corps of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna state.

He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992 and rose to the position of major general in September 2020.

Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th regular course.