President Bola Tinubu has appointed General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), replacing General Christopher Musa. The announcement was made through a statement by Sunday Dare, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, on Friday in Abuja. The appointment is part of the government’s ongoing effort to strengthen Nigeria’s national security leadership.

Born in 1968 in Ikere, Ekiti State, General Oluyede began his military journey at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 39th Regular Course in 1987 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1992. Over the years, he has built a strong reputation for discipline, professionalism, and operational excellence within the Nigerian Army.

Before his new appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army in Jaji, Kaduna State. He was previously appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) by President Tinubu on October 30, 2024, later confirmed by the House of Representatives, and officially took office on December 9, 2024. His promotion to Lieutenant General came alongside that appointment, marking his rise to one of the top leadership positions in the Armed Forces.

As the new Chief of Defence Staff, Oluyede is expected to focus on strengthening inter-service collaboration among the Army, Navy, and Air Force, improving intelligence sharing, and enhancing troop morale and logistics. His leadership style emphasizes coordination, discipline, and technological adaptation in modern warfare.

With decades of experience in internal security and infantry operations, especially in Nigeria’s northeast and other conflict-prone regions, General Oluyede’s appointment is seen as a strategic move by President Tinubu to reinforce national security and promote synergy among the country’s military branches.