List of Chief of Army Staff that served from 1999 to date

 • Major-General Farouk Yahaya has been appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff

 • Five senior military officers were considered as the next head of the Nigerian Army

 • Many successes recorded by the army, experience and seniority are criteria for the selection

Major-General Farouk Yahaya has been appointed as a replacement for the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Ibrahim Attahiru by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Following his appointment, Legit.ng in this report brings you a comprehensive list of COAS since 1999 when Nigeria returned to civilian rule.

According to Legit.ng's findings, Nigerian presidents since 1999 had appointed nine chiefs of staff, bringing the total to 10 with this latest appointment.

1. Lieutenant General Victor Malu - May 1999 - April 2001

2. Lieutenant General Alexander Ogomudia - April 2001 - June 2003

3. Lieutenant General Martin Luther Agwai - June 2003 - June 2006

4. Lieutenant General Owoye Andrew Azazi - 1 June 2006 - May 2007

5. Lieutenant General Luka Yusuf - June 2007 - August 2008

6. Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau - August 2008 - September 2010

7. Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika - September 2010 - January 2014

8. Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai - July 2015 - 26 January 2021

9. Lieutenant General Attahiru Ibrahim - 26 January 2021 to 21 May 2021

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that about five senior military officers were considered as the next head of the Nigerian Army.

The officers reportedly on the list were the army’s chief of operation, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Manu Yusuf, and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Kaduna, Maj. Gen. Danjuma Ali-Keffi. Others were Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP) Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Ahanotu, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, Maj.-Gen Faruk Yahaya and director physical training, Maj.-Gen. Fidelis Azinta.

Factors being considered in favour of the military officers include many successes recorded by the army, experience and seniority in the service.