…By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media. President Bola Tinubu has recently approved the appointment of Major General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja as the new Chief of Army Staff (CoAS).
He will be taking over the position from Lt-Gen Faruk Yahaya, who was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.
Profile of Major General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja:
In this section, we provide a comprehensive overview of Major General Lagbaja’s early life, educational background, courses attended, command/staff/instructional appointments, promotion history, honors/awards, academic qualifications, operations participated in, marital status, and hobbies.
Early Life and Education:
Major General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja was born in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, Osun State on February 28, 1968.
He attended Local Authority Teachers College Demonstration School in Osogbo from 1973 to 1979 and St Charles Grammar School in Osogbo from 1979 to 1984.
He furthered his education at The Polytechnic, Ibadan from 1984 to 1986, obtaining a West African School Certificate (Advanced Level).
In 1987, he was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 39th Regular Course and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on September 19, 1992, into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.
Courses Attended:
Major General Lagbaja has participated in various courses throughout his career, including Company Amphibious Operations Course, Young Officers’ Course (Infantry), Basic Airborne Course, Advanced Airborne Course, Amphibious Staff Operations Course, Company Commanders’ Course, Battalion Commanders’ Course, Junior Staff Course, Senior Staff Course, Military Observers Course, ECOWAS Standby Force Battalion Command Post Course, and Strategy and Leadership Course.
Command/Staff/Instructional Appointments:
The major general has served in multiple appointments, including 93 Battalion as a Platoon commander, 72 Special Forces Battalion as a Platoon commander, Nigerian Defence Academy as an Instructor, Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations as a Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of peacekeeping, Armed Forces Command and Staff College as a Directing Staff, and more.
Promotion History and Honors/Awards:
Major General Lagbaja’s promotion history includes advancements from Second Lieutenant to Brigadier General.
He has received honors and awards such as the Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Passed Staff Course (+), Fellows United States Army War College, Command Medal, Field Command Medal, Field Command Medal of Honour, General Operations Medal, Operation Harmony Medal, United Nations Peacekeeping Operation Medal, Operation LAFIYA DOLE Medal, and more.
Academic Qualifications and Operations Participated:
He holds a BSc in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy and an MSc in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College.
Major General Lagbaja has participated in various operations, including Operation HARMONY IV in the Bakassi Peninsula, United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, and more.
Marital Status and Hobbies:
Major General Lagbaja is happily married to Mrs. Mariya Abiodun-Lagbaja, and they have two children.
In his leisure time, he enjoys watching documentaries and reading biographies.
Conclusion:
With Major General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja’s extensive experience, qualifications, and achievements, he assumes the position of Chief of Army Staff, entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Nigerian Army to ensure security and safeguard the nation’s interests.