The United States Army War College (USAWC) has posthumously conferred one in every of its highest worldwide honours on the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the twenty third Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Nigerian Army, along with his induction into the celebrated International Hall of Fame (IHOF).
The distinguished recognition, which happened on Monday, 13 October 2025, was conferred in the course of the opening ceremony of the continuing Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Convention on the Walter E. Washington Convention Centre, Washington D.C., United States of America.
In a solemn however but vibrant ceremony, the Commandant of the USAWC, Major General Trevor J. Bredenkamp, offered the posthumous honour in acknowledgment of the late General Lagbaja’s sterling management, visionary service and distinctive contributions to the development of navy professionalism and worldwide peace and safety. The recognition underscores his excellent achievements as an alumnus of the establishment who rose meritoriously to the zenith of his navy profession as Nigeria’s twenty third Chief of Army Staff.
The late Lieutenant General Lagbaja was one of many six eminent inductees honoured at this yr’s occasion. His induction represents a historic milestone as he turned the primary ever Nigerian Army officer to be enshrined within the USAWC International Hall of Fame within the establishment’s illustrious 124 yr historical past, a testomony to his enduring legacy of excellence and repair to humanity.
Representing the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, on the ceremony was Major General Adeleke Ayannuga, who obtained the honour alongside Mrs Maria Abiodun Lagbaja on behalf of the late COAS.
Among the dignitaries in attendance have been the Director General, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Major General G.O. Adesina; Director General, Defence Headquarters Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre, Major General G.T.O. Ajetunmobi, Mrs Deborah Aboderin of the Office of Security Cooperation, U.S. Embassy, Abuja.
Also current have been the Nigerian Defense Attaché to the United States, Army officers present process greater skilled navy schooling on the National Defense University, Washington D.C, the United States Army War College and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, alongside different senior Nigerian Army officers taking part within the AUSA 2025 Annual Convention.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, expressed profound delight on this singular honour bestowed upon one of many Nigerian Army’s most illustrious and visionary leaders. He affirmed that the popularity not solely immortalizes the late Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s distinguished service but additionally reinforces the Nigerian Army’s dedication to the common beliefs of professionalism, self-discipline and dedication to world peace and safety.
APPOLONIA ANELE
Lieutenant Colonel
