Did you know that the Nigerian army has produced five General Officer Commanding (GOC) and 28 Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from 1956 to 2024?

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has been the title of the professional head of the Nigerian Army since 1966. Prior to 1966, the title was General Officer Commanding Nigerian Army (GOCNA). Since 1980, the post has been immediately subordinate to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), a post held by the head of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The position of COAS is often occupied by the most senior officer appointed by the President.

In other words, in the chain of command, the COAS reports to the CDS, who in turn, reports to the Defence Minister, accountable to the President of Nigeria. The Statutory duty of the Officer is to formulate and execute policies towards the highest attainment of National Security and operational competence of the Nigerian Army.

Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja succeeded Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, in June 2023. However, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, President Bola Tinubu appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Acting COAS pending (if feasible) the return of Lt. Gen. Lagbaja who is currently indisposed due to health issues. Sadly, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja passed away and Major General Oluyede was substantiated as COAS on Novmber 5, 2024, by the Presidnt. 

Until his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna. The 56-year-old and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course. He was also commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987 and rose to Major-General in September 2020. He was Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, Commandant Amphibious Training School.

General Oluyede participated in several operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East theatre of operations, where he commanded 27 Task Force Brigade.
Oluyede has earned many honours for his meritorious service in various fields of operations. He is married and has three children.

Below is a chronological list of officers holding the position of GOC or COAS from 1956 to 2024:

◼️ General Officer Commanding (GOC)

1. Major General Kenneth G. Exham (1956–1959)
2. Major General Norman Foster (1959–1963)
3. Major General John Alexander Mackenzie (1963–1963)
4. Major General Sir Christopher Welby-Everard (1963 – February 1965)
5. Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi (1924–1966)

◼️ Chief of Army Staff (COAS)

1. Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Gowon FSS (Jan. 1966–July 1966)
2. Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Akahan OFR FSS (July 1966–May 1968)
3. Major General Hassan Katsina RCDS, PSC (May 1968–January 1971)
4. Major General David Ejoor (Jan. 1971–July 1975)
5. Lieutenant General Theophilus Danjuma (July 1975–October 1979)
6. Lieutenant General Ipoola Alani Akinrinade CFR FSS (Oct. 1979–April 1980)
7. Lieutenant General Gibson Jalo CFR FSS, JSS (April 1980–October 1981)
8. Lieutenant General Inua Wushishi CFR FSS (October 1981–October 1983)
9. Major General Ibrahim Babangida (January 1984–August 1985)
10. Lieutenant General Sani Abacha GCON , DSS, mni (August 1985–August 1990)
11. Lieutenant General Salihu Ibrahim FSS , FHWC (August 1990–September 1993)
12. Lieutenant General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau DSS, rcds (September 1993–November 1993)
13. Major General Chris Alli CRG, DSS, ndc, psc(+) (November 1993–August 1994)
14. Major General Alwali Kazir DSS, Usawc, psc(+) (August 1994–March 1996)
15. Lieutenant General Ishaya Bamaiyi DSS, Usawc, psc(+) (March 1996–May 1999)
16. Lieutenant General Victor Malu DSS, mni, fwc, psc (May 1999–April 2001)
17. Lieutenant General Alexander Ogomudia (April 2001–June 2003)
18. Lieutenant General Martin Luther Agwai (June 2003–June 2006)
19. Lieutenant General Owoye Andrew Azazi (1 June 2006–May 2007)
20. Lieutenant General Luka Yusuf CFR, GSS, GPP, DSO, psc(+), fwc, Msc (June 2007–August 2008)
21. Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau CFR, GSS, psc, ndc, fwc(+) (August 2008–September 2010)
22. Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika CFR, GSS, psc(+), fwc, fniqs (September 2010–January 2014)
23. Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah GSS, psc(+), fwc (January 2014–July 2015)
24. Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai NAM, GSS, psc(+), ndc (BD) (16 July 2015–28 January 2021)
25. Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru (28 January 2021–21 May 2021)
26. Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya (27 May 2021–23 June 2023)
27. Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja (23 June 2023)
28. Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede (November 5, 2024)

Source: Wikipedia | Punch

#penglobalhistory #NigerianArmy #COAS