Fatimah Otunsanya
The Nigerian Army has announced a one-year memorial service for its late former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who died on November 5, 2024.
The event, organised under the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025, to honour the legacy of the fallen military leader.
According to the poster of the memorial service shared by the Nigerian Army on X, the event will feature a Juma’at prayer at 1pm on Friday, November 7, at the Central Mosque, Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja.
On Sunday, November 9, an interdenominational church service will be held in the name of the late COAS at 10am at the All Saints Protestant Church, Mogadishu Cantonment, also in Asokoro, Abuja.
Lagbaja, who served as the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, died at the age of 56 in Lagos after a period of illness.
He was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Bola Tinubu.
An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, Lagbaja is reported to be survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
The current Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Shaibu, who assumed leadership on October 30, 2025, as the 25th Chief of Army Staff, extended a condolence invitation to the public, emphasising Lagbaja’s enduring legacy.