THE House of Representatives today confirmed the appointment of Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
Although the constitution does not mandate the House to confirm such appointments, the lawmakers approved a report by an ad-hoc committee tasked with screening the Acting Chief of Army Staff.
The committee recommended and confirmed Lieutenant General Oluyede’s appointment as the Chief of Army Staff.
Presenting the report, committee chairman Babajimi Benson stated that Lt. Gen. Oluyede had met all the necessary qualifications.
President Bola Tinubu initially appointed Oluyede in an acting capacity in October following the illness of the former army chief, Taoreed Lagbaja, who later passed away on November 5 and has since been buried.
‘A Privileged Opportunity’
Subsequently, the president requested the National Assembly to confirm Oluyede as the substantive army chief, commending his dedication to national security.
Yesterday, Oluyede appeared before the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Defence and Army, where he pledged to address Nigeria’s security challenges if confirmed.
Accompanied by senior military officials, including Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, Oluyede expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
“I am honoured to be considered worthy to contribute to the fight against insecurity,” he said, promising to collaborate with the National Assembly and other stakeholders to achieve lasting peace in Nigeria.
He further highlighted his experience, stating, “Over the past five years, I have served at senior operational and management levels within the Nigerian Army, contributing to its successes and facing its challenges. My nomination as Chief of Army Staff is a privileged opportunity to lead and implement meaningful changes that will strengthen the Nigerian Army in fulfilling its constitutional duties.”
Oluyede assured the lawmakers, “If confirmed, I will strive to justify the trust placed in me by His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, and Nigerians.”