The current Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) appointed by President Bola Tinubu is Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede. He assumed office on October 24, 2025, succeeding General Christopher Musa.
Biography of Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede
Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede is a highly decorated Nigerian Army officer with a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades. His appointment as the Chief of Defence Staff follows a period where he served as the Chief of Army Staff.
Early Life and Education
- Date of Birth: June 21, 1968
- State of Origin: Ikere-Ekiti, Ikere Local Government Area, Ekiti State, South-west Nigeria.
- Military Training: He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 39th Regular Course in 1987 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army in 1992.
- Academic Qualifications: He holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Economics from the Nigerian Defence Academy, among other qualifications. He is also an alumnus of the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), having completed the Senior Executive Course.
Military Career and Key Appointments
Lt. Gen. Oluyede has held several crucial command, instructional, and staff appointments throughout his service:
- Command Experience: He has led counter-insurgency operations in the North East, notably as the Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade under Operation HADIN KAI.
- Key Appointments: His roles have included Platoon Commander, Company Commander, Staff Officer at the Guards Brigade, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
- Prior Service Chief Role: Before his elevation to CDS, he served as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from October 2024 to October 2025.
- International Experience: He has participated in international peacekeeping missions, including the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia and Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi.
Honours and Mandate
- Rank: He attained the rank of Major General in September 2020 and was later promoted to Lieutenant General.
- Decorations: His honours include the Corps Medal of Honour, Grand Service Star, Field Command Medal, Field Training Medal, and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.
- Role as CDS: As the Chief of Defence Staff, he is the professional head of the Nigerian Armed Forces, responsible for coordinating the strategic operations of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with a mandate to enhance synergy and address emerging security challenges across the nation.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL O.O OLUYEDE (N/9318) NAM CMH GSS psc mni FCM FCMH TSM COM CCA
1. Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede was born on 21 June 1968 in Ikere-Ekiti Town, and hails from Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State. He attended Holy Trinity Primary School, Ikere-Ekiti, and proceeded to Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, for his secondary education. Thereafter, he gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 as a member of 39 Regular Course. On completion of his cadet training, he was granted Regular Combatant Commission on 19 December 1992 in the rank of second lieutenant with seniority in the same rank effective 12 September 1987. He is of the Infantry Corps. He has risen in his noble profession to the rank of lieutenant general and became the 29th indigenous Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army, first in acting capacity with effect from 30 October 2024 and substantively, in November 2024.
2. In the course of his meritorious military career, he has attended several courses both at home and abroad, where he distinguished himself creditably. Some of these courses include the Young Officers’ Course (Infantry) and Regimental Signal Officers’ Course, as well as Commanding Officers’ Course, all at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji. He also attended the United Nations Logistics Officers’ Course at the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Centre, Ghana and the United Nations Military Observers’ Course at the now renamed Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, among others. Similarly, he attended the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji for his Junior and Senior Staff Courses, and he is a member of the national institute and a proud alumnus of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), where he did his Senior Executive Course. To further hone his leadership skills, he attended the Strategic Leadership Course at the Nigerian Defence Academy. Despite the rigours of military profession, Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede made time out to develop and improve his intellectual standing. He holds both a Bachelor and Master of Arts Degree in Economics from the Nigerian Defence Academy, among others. He has also attended and participated in several workshops, seminars and conferences in the course of his career, which contributed to preparing him for the highest appointment in the Nigerian Army.
3. Lieutenant General Oluyede has served in several formations, units and training institutions where he held command, staff and instructional appointments within his illustrious years of service. Some of these appointments include Platoon Commander and Company Second in Command in 65 Mechanised Battalion and 177 Guards Battalion, respectively. He was Platoon Commander and later Officer Commanding in 2 Amphibious Battalion. For his initial instructional experience, he was an instructor and later Senior Instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy. He held the appointment of Staff OfficerGrade 1 in Charge of Personnel and Welfare Services as well as Logistics and Operations at different times while serving at Headquarters Joint Task Force (Operation RESTORE HOPE) and Headquarters 82 Division, respectively. He also served as Deputy Director of Examinations at Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command. He was Chief of Staff at Headquarters 13 Brigade before attending the Senior Executive Course at NIPSS. He was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff Civil-Military Cooperation at Headquarters 1 Division and later Director at Army Headquarters Department of Army Standard and Evaluation. He was Commandant of Amphibious Training School. He was appointed Commander 27 Task Force Brigade under Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the North East Theatre, from where he was made the Acting Commander Sector 2 in the same theatre. On his promotion to the rank of Major General, he was appointed substantive Commander Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE. Thereafter, he was posted to the Nigerian Army Resource Centre and appointed Senior Research Fellow, after which he was moved to the Army Headquarters Department of Army Policy and Plans and appointed Director Plans. After a brief stint at the Army Headquarters, he was appointed the General Officer Commanding 6 Division. He was later posted to the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, Directorate of Inspection and Compliance and appointed the Director. He joined the privileged few who rose to command the elite Infantry Corps before his appointment as the Acting and later the Substantive Chief of Army Staff in November 2024.
4. The seasoned Infantry General has also participated in a number of operations, both home and abroad. His posting profile traverses considerable deployments and participation in several Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations as well as Internal Security Operations across the country. Indeed, his military exploits began as a young platoon commander in 65 Mechanised Battalion, from where he moved with the unit to participate in the historic Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG). During the ECOMOG operations, he was reported to be full of initiatives, dedicated, loyal and performed his assigned tasks without supervision. It was, therefore, no surprise that despite his young experience, he was entrusted with the onerous assignment of providing security for the Presidential Lodge, a task he discharged admirably. Overall, he was assessed to be an officer who accepted instructions with matured calmness and implemented them satisfactorily. He was also observed to be an articulate and honest officer who took keen interest in the welfare of his troops. As Officer Commanding in 2 Battalion, his conduct was reported to have been outstanding, especially during the initial militia crisis in Rivers State, where he exhibited courage as well as outstanding leadership qualities. He was noted to have successfully led his company to curb the nefarious activities of the Niger Delta Volunteer Peoples Force, a formidable militant group that threatened the peace and security of Niger Delta region. While serving in Sector 1 Joint Task Force, his bravery and response to the unforeseen was thoroughly put to test when a patrol team led by him was attacked along Chanomi Creek. Despite being overwhelmed, he was noted to have put up a spirited fight under heavy enemy fire that enabled him to safely extricate his men. He was also noted to have made valuable contributions to the overall planning of subsequent operations leading to the successful dislodgement of a notorious militant leader and his men from their well-fortified enclave, Camp 5.
5. Notably, the senior officer was renowned for leaving a trail of remarkable achievements wherever he served. He was also able to flexibly switch between staff and command roles, demonstrating his versatility and achieving commendable results. For instance, while the Deputy Chief of Staff in HQ 1 Div, he was seconded to 1 DISFORCE (an outfit coordinating 1 Division operations) and appointed the Operations Officer. In this role, he was noted to have coordinated several significant operations under the umbrella of Operation MESA and Operation SHARAN DAJI (a nickname for the operation against cattle rustling and armed banditry in 1 Division AOR). Indeed, several remarkable operational achievements were recorded by the Division during this period that led to a major degradation of armed banditry, cattle rustling, armed robbery and all other sundry crimes within Kaduna State and 1 Division Area of Operations.
6. As the Commandant Amphibious Training School (ATS), he was observed to have displayed exceptional and transformational leadership attributes that impacted positively in the rapid development of the School. He initiated the relocation of ATS students’ hostel with the approval of the Chief of Army Staff from the old site to a new one at no cost to the Nigerian Army. He equally initiated the construction of an integral swimming pool for the School after 34 years of its existence, also at no cost to the Nigerian Army. He established a SkillsAcquisition Centre where his soldiers’ wives and other women in Eburutu Barracks were trained in the art of sewing, soap making, hair dressing, among other skills. He renovated the Regimental Sergeant Major’s House, 2 Single Officers Quarters, 1 Married Officers Quarters and the Commandant’s house. Furthermore, he rehabilitated 4 x 30 family blocks (created additional facilities) for the ATS’ soldiers and their families. He also refurbished 3 hitherto condemned gunboats belonging to 81 Division, which were later deployed to Takwa Bay in Lagos. He refurbished 2 x K38 unserviceable boats backloaded from Operation DELTA SAFE, which were subsequently deployed to block Kula Estuary on River Bonny to boost the anti-illegal oil bunkering operations in the general area. In addition, he refurbished 2 Seamarks boats that were dry docked for years to support the 19 Brigade at Baga operating in Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the North East. Most telling was that all these notable achievements were made from the School’s meagre resources. It was therefore no surprise that the senior officer was among the recipients of the prestigious Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award in 2018.
7. Furthermore, the senior officer was noted to possess a mastery of a blend of operational art and administrative leadership as well as field command expertise. These attributes he aptly exhibited when he served as the Commander 27 Task Force Brigade and Commander Sector 2 Buni Yadi, Operation HADIN KAI. On assuming command, he quickly reorganised, restructured, and fortified the defences of his Brigades, making them less vulnerable to Boko Haram Terrorist attacks. These changes contributed immensely to the successful defeat of terrorists’ attacks in Buni Gari and Damaturu in 2019. Notably, he coordinated the operations which repelled and defeated BHTs attempted infiltration of Damaturu on 22 Dec 19, leading to the recovery of 1 x gun truck, 1 x anti-aircraft gun and a cache of 12.7mm rounds from the terrorists. Indeed, the operation was reported to have led to the death of 2 prominent terrorists’ commanders, including the notorious Abu Muktar and about 30 of their foot soldiers. As a commander who displayed keen interest in the welfare and well-being of his men, he spared no cost in ensuring that the feeding of the soldiers was improved. To improve his men’s living conditions, he also bought a 60 KVA generating set and overhauled the 150 KVA set, which was in a state of disrepair. These interventions had a tremendous impact on his men’s morale. Similarly, in an effort to bolster his combat efficiency, he refurbished 2 of the 3 Main Battle Tanks of the Brigade, a good number of soft skin vehicles and the water tanker. It is pertinent to state that all these were achieved with the modest resources available to the Brigade. These efforts remarkably boosted the operational capacity of the formation.
8. The remarkable achievements earned him a citation from his General Officer Commanding, where he was described to have exhibited all the leadership qualities expected of an officer. The citation further noted that the huge impact he made in accomplishing his operational objectives were hinged on his brilliant and sheer determination to succeed regardless of the enormity of challenges before him. He was always quick to assess the security situation within his AOR and developed mechanisms to harness available resources and apply them decisively in operations. In the same vein, it was reported that his resilience, doggedness and intuition aided his achievements in command. He is a good motivator and takes great care to address morale and administrative issues with his personnel. These qualities endeared him to his men, who were ever willing to follow his lead.
9. As GOC 6 Division, General Oluyede brought his wealth of experience to bear, which quickly led to stability in the Niger Delta. His leadership style and engagements created the enabling environment for operational efficiency, as witnessed in the increased daily oil production output during his reign as the GOC. He appreciated the peculiar situation obtainable in 6 Division AOR and developed mechanisms to harness available resources and apply them decisively. He displayed exemplary leadership, provided required administrative and operational directions, guidance and motivation to commanders, officers and men under him. This philosophy resonated across the Division AOR. He also championed and achieved several CIMIC projects and renovation/construction of facilities at the Division Headquarters and across the AOR. His achievements as GOC set the template that subsequent GOCs adopted, leading to operational success and stable oil and gas production in the Niger Delta.
10. On his appointment as Acting and later Substantive Chief of Army Staff, General Oluyede demonstrated the progressive continuity of successive commands. As the Chief of Army Staff, he leads through the lens of decades of invaluable experiences he has gained in his career. He immediately set out to put the soldiers’ interest first and indeed became the soldiers’ soldier. He also honoured the memories of past Chiefs of Army Staff who died on active service. His Command Philosophy of “Consolidating the Transformation of the Nigerian Army Towards Bequeathing a Well-Motivated and Combat-Ready Force that can Effectively Discharge its Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment” is matched with decisive actions. In achieving this, he has rekindled and awakened the fighting spirit of the troops. In the spirit of exemplary leadership, he commits to visiting the frontline troops regularly. He has made the welfare of troops a priority and has tremendously improved on it. Accordingly, he increased troops’ ration cash and operational allowances. His Soldiers’ First approach has also seen sweeping positive interventions in personnel administration including accommodation, emoluments, health care and other welfare needs of officers/soldiers and their families. He has left no stone unturned in ensuring that no Nigerian territory is lost to insurgents under his leadership of the Nigerian Army. Similarly, to add impetus to the operations, he approved the establishment of a second Depot for recruitment of soldiers in Osogbo. He also approved the commissioning exercises for Short Service Combatant Commission, Direct Short Service Commission and Executive Commission to improve the officers’ manpower.
11. The Nigerian Army across board has seen several weapons and equipment refurbished and procured for deployment in the various theatres. Some of the equipment procured include Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, night visibilityequipment, troops lift vehicle and other Armoured Fighting Vehicles to enhance troops’ protection. General Oluyede always upholds the principle of humanitarian laws by ensuring that troops respect for human rights and rules of engagement is observed at all times. Given his wealth of experience in strategic thinking, Chief of Army Staff initiated the restructuring of Nigerian Army formations and units which is aimed at addressing contemporary realties and meeting future challenges.
12. In recognition of his meritorious service to the Nation, characterized by exemplary leadership, the Chief of Army Staff is honoured with several medals and awards. Some of which are; the Nigerian Army Medal (NAM), Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS) and Grand Service Star (GSS). Others include Passed Staff Course (psc), Member of the National Institute (mni), Field Command Medal(FCM), Field Command Medal of Honour (FCMH), Training Support Medal (TSM) and General Operations Medal (GOM). He is also a holder of the coveted Corps Medal of Honour (CMH) and prestigious Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award (CCA).
13. Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede is married and blessed with children. He enjoys travelling, playing basketball and volleyball.
14. He is the current Chief of Army Staff.
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