Meet Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Nigeria’s new Chief of Defence Staff

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede  is a respected Nigerian Army officer and the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Nigeria.

His appointment was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on October 24, 2025, following a major reshuffle in the Armed Forces aimed at strengthening the country’s security framework.

He succeeds General Christopher Musa in this role.

Background

Born in Ikere, Ekiti State, in 1968, Oluyede began his military journey in 1987 when he joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, as part of the 39th Regular Course.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1992 after successfully completing his military training.

Career highlights

Over a career that has spanned more than three decades, General Oluyede has served in several key command and staff positions within the Nigerian Army.

Before his appointment as CDS, he was the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna.

Positions held

He also held notable roles as Platoon Commander and Adjutant of the 65 Battalion, Company Commander of the 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer at the Guards Brigade, Commandant of the Amphibious Training School, and Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade in the North East under Operation Hadin Kai.

Oluyede’s experience also extends to international peacekeeping operations. He was part of the ECOMOG mission in Liberia and later participated in Operation Harmony IV in the Bakassi Peninsula, where he contributed to peace and stability efforts in the region. Promoted to the rank of Major General in 2020, his career has been marked by professionalism, discipline, and expertise in counterinsurgency and peace enforcement.

Appointments

President Tinubu first appointed Oluyede as Acting Chief of Army Staff on September 30, 2024, during the temporary absence of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

Following Senate confirmation, he was officially sworn in as the substantive Chief of Army Staff on December 9, 2024.

During his tenure, he introduced reforms aimed at improving infantry training, boosting troop welfare, and enhancing cooperation between the Army and other security agencies to address both internal and external security challenges.

His elevation to Chief of Defence Staff in October 2025 reflects President Tinubu’s confidence in his leadership and commitment to advancing Nigeria’s defence modernization agenda.

Oluyede is expected to build on his experience to drive stronger coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force in protecting national interests.

Honours

For his dedication and service, General Oluyede has received several honours, including the Corps Medal of Honour, Grand Service Star, Field Command Medal of Honour, Field Training Medal, Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award, and Membership of the National Institute.

Family

Beyond his military duties, General Oluyede is known for his humility, discipline, and commitment to national unity.

He is married and blessed with three children. His long-standing dedication to Nigeria’s peace and security continues to define his legacy as one of the nation’s most respected military leaders.