The Nigerian Army has assured the public that there is no leadership vacuum despite the official leave of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
In a statement released on Saturday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, it was clarified that Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), has been designated to act on behalf of the COAS during his absence.
Maj. Gen. Nwachukwu emphasized that the Army has established protocols to ensure smooth operations, dismissing claims of confusion or leadership gaps within the service.
He stated, “The Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures. Before the COAS went on leave, the necessary arrangements were made for Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim to act in his stead.”
Nwachukwu also highlighted that the COAS’s absence has not affected routine activities, such as officer promotions.
He noted that the results of the Captain-to-Major promotion exam had been approved and announced by the acting COAS, and other promotion exercises, such as the Warrant Officer to Master Warrant Officer promotions, are ongoing as scheduled.
In addressing rumors of delays in promotions or postings due to the COAS’s leave, Nwachukwu clarified that it is not standard practice for the COAS to personally sign off on these matters. Instead, departmental chiefs handle such duties in alignment with established procedures.
He concluded by urging the public to remain confident in the Army’s ability to manage the nation’s security and assured that the service remains fully operational and prepared to defend Nigeria against any threats.