★★★★

Olufemi Olatubosun OluyedeChief of Defence Staff

GeneralOlufemi Olatubosun
Oluyede

GCOR AFM NAM CMH GSS psc mni FCM FCMH TSM GOM CCA

Chief of Defence Staff

A seasoned infantry commander of nearly four decades' service, appointed Chief of Defence Staff on 30 October 2025 — charged with coordinating the strategic operations of Nigeria's Army, Navy and Air Force.

1987

Enlisted · NDA

39^th

Regular Course

2025

Appointed CDS

Biography

From a cadet of the 39th Regular Course to the most senior uniformed officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces — a career built on infantry command and frontline operational service.

General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede was born in 1968 in Ikere, Ekiti State, in Nigeria's South West. He began his military journey in 1987 as a cadet at the Nigerian Defence Academy, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1992 after completing the Nigerian Army's training regimen.

Widely regarded as a seasoned infantry officer, he has spent much of his career in command and internal-security operations across Nigeria's most demanding theatres. He is an alumnus of the prestigious Staff Course and a Member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Nigeria's apex policy think-tank.

Promoted to Major General in 2020, he rose to serve as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps before his appointment as Chief of Army Staff, and ultimately Chief of Defence Staff. He is married and has three children.

Service Record

A chronology of enlistment, commission, promotion and high command.

1987

Nigerian Defence Academy

Enlisted as a cadet, 39th Regular Course.

1992

Commissioned — Second Lieutenant

Commissioned into the Nigerian Army (Infantry).

Sept 2020

Promoted — Major General

Elevated among senior officers of the Nigerian Army.

2024

56th Commander, Infantry Corps

Commander of the Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji, Kaduna State.

Oct 2024

Acting Chief of Army Staff

Appointed by President Tinubu; promoted Lieutenant General.

Dec 2024

Chief of Army Staff (24th)

Confirmed by the Senate; assumed office 9 December 2024.

Oct 2025

Chief of Defence Staff

Appointed by President Tinubu; assumed office 30 October 2025.

Command & Staff

Appointments held across regimental, staff and operational commands.

C/01

Platoon Commander & Adjutant

65 Battalion — early regimental service.

Regimental

C/02

Company Commander

177 Guards Battalion.

Guards

C/03

Staff Officer

Guards Brigade.

Staff

C/04

Commandant

Amphibious Training School.

Training

C/05

Commander, 27 Task Force Brigade

North East — counter-insurgency under Operation HADIN KAI.

Operational Command

C/06

56th Commander, Infantry Corps

Infantry Corps Centre, Jaji, Kaduna State.

Corps Command

Previous · 2024–2025

24th Chief of Army Staff

Led the Nigerian Army's transformation drive — operational efficiency, personnel welfare and inter-service cooperation — directing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the North East and North West.

09 Dec 2024 – 30 Oct 2025

COAS

Incumbent · since 2025

Chief of Defence Staff

Head of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the most senior uniformed adviser to the Minister of Defence and the President. Charged with driving synergy among the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Assumed office 30 Oct 2025

CDS

Operations & Peacekeeping

Operational service at home and on international peace-support missions.

North East Nigeria

Operation HADIN KAI

Counter-insurgency operations as Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade against Boko Haram and ISWAP.

Liberia · ECOWAS

ECOMOG Mission

Regional peace-enforcement service with the ECOWAS Monitoring Group in Liberia.

Bakassi Peninsula

Operation HARMONY IV

Operational deployment in the Bakassi conflict-resolution effort.

Engagements

Diplomatic, inter-agency and command engagements as Chief of Defence Staff.

With the President — Audience with the Commander-in-Chief
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

UK Defence Attache — UK Defence Attaché
Brig Gen Tom Harper MBE

Diplomatic engagement — Bilateral Courtesy
Office of the CDS

NIPSS collaboration — Improved Collaboration with NIPSS
National Institute for Policy & Strategic Studies

Honours & Decorations

Corps Medal of Honour

Recognition of corps service.

Grand Service Star

Distinguished service decoration.

Field Command Medal of Honour

Operational command recognition.

Field Training Medal

Field training distinction.

Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award

Commendation for service.

Member, National Institute (mni)

National Institute for Policy & Strategic Studies.

“

The country faces complex and evolving threats — terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and emerging cyber, aerial and maritime challenges. I am fully committed to defending the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

★★★★

General OO Oluyede

Inaugural address as Chief of Defence Staff, October 2025