The Nigerian Army has officially stated that there is no leadership vacuum during the leave of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. In a statement released today, the Army emphasized that all necessary protocols are in place to ensure seamless operations in his absence.
Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, addressed recent speculations regarding the leadership structure of the Army while Lt. Gen. Lagbaja is on official leave for a medical check-up abroad. He assured the public that Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), is acting on behalf of the COAS and that this arrangement has been effectively implemented prior to Lagbaja's departure.
“The Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures for managing various circumstances,” Maj. Gen. Nwachukwu stated. “Claims suggesting a leadership vacuum are unfounded and merely speculative. All routine and scheduled activities of the service continue unabated.”
Furthermore, he clarified that promotions within the Army have not been hindered by the COAS’s absence. The results of the Captain-to-Major promotion examination were released following approval from Major General Ibrahim, underscoring that departmental chiefs are fully capable of executing their responsibilities without delay.
The Army has also conducted several promotion exercises recently, including the ongoing Master Warrant Officer to Army Warrant Officer promotion exercise in Jos, with results expected shortly.
Maj. Gen. Nwachukwu reiterated that it is standard practice for departmental chiefs to manage postings and promotions, ensuring continuity in operations and decision-making processes within the Nigerian Army.