President Bola Tinubu, never one to miss an opportunity for grand gestures (with very little action), awarded a posthumous Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) title to the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. The announcement came during the military funeral at the National Cemetery in Mogadishu, Abuja, where Tinubu delivered a eulogy filled with praise and accolades, painting Lagbaja as a towering figure in national security.
What They Are Saying
Tinubu’s decision to honour Lagbaja with the CFR seems to be his way of solidifying the legacy of a man whose military career was punctuated by his involvement in critical security operations. The President declared this award as an “eternal symbol” of appreciation for Lagbaja’s service, calling his appointment as Chief of Army Staff one of his most astute choices yet. If there were any doubts about Tinubu’s love for dramatics, this spectacle at the cemetery cleared them up. The late COAS, as he is now glorified, is depicted almost as a national hero whose death, Tinubu insists, should not break the spirits of the military. “Lift your heads in pride in memory of your army chief,” he urged the officers, as if the mere elevation of Lagbaja’s status posthumously could erase the pains and challenges faced by the armed forces in an increasingly unstable nation.
The President presented the award to Lagbaja’s widow, Mariya, who received it on behalf of the family amidst rounds of applause. Tinubu’s rhetoric then took a familiar turn as he reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the armed forces. But after months of unmet promises and budget cuts affecting military funding, one can only wonder how long this support will last. Trust our President to use speeches to evade the major topic.
Why It Matters
Tinubu lavished praise on Lagbaja’s military exploits, highlighting his roles in several critical operations: Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States. These were no small feats, but whether they resulted in any lasting peace or security improvements remains up for debate. It’s almost ironic how these operations are celebrated in death when their successes were so contested in life.
The ceremony was not short on pomp and pageantry, attended by a host of high-ranking officials including Vice President Kashima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Defence Minister, governors, and top military officials. The show of political and military presence at the funeral was less about honouring a fallen hero and more about maintaining the optics of a united front in the face of a security crisis that seems to worsen by the day.
Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, served as the Chief of Army Staff for a brief period of just one year and four months. His appointment in June 2023 came at a time when Nigeria’s security landscape was already in trouble, making his tenure a turbulent one. Tinubu, who had appointed him to this critical role, was quick to announce his death last week, citing a period of illness as the cause. Tinubu’s announcement was as much about the legacy he hopes Lagbaja will leave behind as it was about showcasing his administration’s apparent reverence for military service.
Bottom Line
Nigeria’s security situation remains fragile, and the death of yet another high-ranking officer shows the instability that plagues the nation’s defense framework.
For all the tributes paid and promises made at the funeral, the core issues of underfunding, inadequate equipment, and lack of strategic leadership in the military remain unresolved. Tinubu’s speech might resonate with the grieving family and military personnel present, but it does little to address the fundamental challenges that continue to threaten the country’s security.
