President Bola Tinubu has appointed General Olufemi Oluyede as Nigeria’s new Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Musa.
Here are key things to know about the new defence chief, his background, and his priorities.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed General Olufemi Oluyede as Nigeria’s new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.
The announcement was made in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.
General Oluyede began his military journey in 1987 when he joined the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 39th Regular Course. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1992 and has since built a long and distinguished career in the Nigerian Army.
Born in 1968 in Ikere, Ekiti State, Oluyede has held several key positions within the Armed Forces. He previously served as the Commander of the Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna State, where he led critical internal security operations.
He was appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff by President Tinubu on October 30, 2024, and officially confirmed by the House of Representatives before assuming office on December 9, 2024. His elevation to Lieutenant General accompanied that appointment.
Military sources suggest that as Chief of Defence Staff, Oluyede’s focus will include strengthening cooperation between the Army, Navy, and Air Force, improving intelligence sharing, and enhancing troop morale and logistics across the services.
