| Chief of Army Staff | |
|---|---|
&sq=Bangladesh&lang=en&file=File:Seal_for_Chief_of_the_Army_Staff_(Nigeria).svg) Seal of the Chief of Army Staff | |
&sq=Bangladesh&lang=en&file=File:Standard_for_the_Chief_of_Army_Staff_(Nigeria).svg) Flag of the Chief of Army Staff | |
since 30 October 2024 | |
 Nigerian Army | |
| Abbreviation | COAS |
| Member of |
|
| Reports to | Chief of Defence Staff |
| Seat | Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja |
| Appointer | President of Nigeria |
| Inaugural holder | Kenneth G. Exham Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi (indigenous) |
| Formation | 1956 |
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has been the title of the professional head of the Nigerian Army since 1966.[1] 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, the post held by the head of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The position is often occupied by the most senior officer appointed by the President.[2]
The current Chief of Army Staff (Acting) is Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, who succeeded Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who died in office in November 2024. [3]
- ^ "Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan sacks military chiefs". BBC News. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ "President sacks Service Chiefs, names replacements". Daily Independent. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ https://www.channelstv.com/2024/11/06/breaking-tinubu-announces-death-of-chief-of-army-staff-lagbaja/