Major General T.A. Lagbaja Biography: Age, State Of Origin, Career, Honors, Wife, Family, Net Worth

Major General T.A. Lagbaja Biography

Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja is the Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, appointed on 19 June 2023 by President Bola Tinubu. He was born on 28 February 1968 in Irepodun, Osun State, Nigeria.

T.A. Lagbaja is a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy and the United States Army War College, he has served in various capacities within the Nigerian Army, including as a platoon commander and as an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy. His career has also included peacekeeping roles and operations in internal security.

Major General T.A. Lagbaja Age

T.A. Lagbaja is 56 years old as of 2024.

Major General T.A. Lagbaja State of Origin

Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja hails from Ilobu, located in the Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria

Major General T.A. Lagbaja Early Life and Education

Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun was born on February 28, 1968 in Ilobu, Osun State and he spent his formative years in the city of Osogbo. It was here that he attended the Local Authority Teachers College Demonstration School, laying the educational foundation that would serve him throughout his illustrious military career.

In pursuit of higher education, Lagbaja continued his studies at St Charles Grammar School in Osogbo. From 1979 to 1984, he immersed himself in the rigorous academic environment, honing the discipline and intellectual acumen that would later define his leadership style.

1987 marked a pivotal year for Lagbaja as he was admitted into the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 39th Regular Course. This institution is renowned for shaping some of Nigeria’s finest military minds, and for Lagbaja, it was no different. His time at the academy was characterized by a steadfast commitment to excellence, culminating in his commission as a second lieutenant on September 19, 1992.

Lagbaja’s quest for knowledge did not cease with his initial military training. He furthered his education by obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy in 2001. His academic pursuits continued overseas at the United States Army War College, where he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies.

Major General T.A. Lagbaja Career

Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja has had a distinguished career in the Nigerian Army, marked by his steady rise through the ranks and his involvement in key operations both domestically and internationally. His career began when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Nigerian Infantry Corps on September 19, 1992, after graduating from the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 39th Regular Course.

In the early years of his service, from 1992 to 1995, Lagbaja served as a platoon commander of the 93 Battalion. He then took on the role of platoon commander of the 72 Special Forces Battalion from 1995 to 2001, where he gained extensive experience in special operations.

Lagbaja’s educational pursuits continued alongside his military career. In 2001, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy. His thirst for knowledge led him to the United States Army War College, where he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies.

His expertise in military strategy and operations was further recognized when he served as an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy from 2001 to 2004. He also held the position of Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of peacekeeping at the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations.

Lagbaja’s leadership skills were honed as he became a Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, from 2006 to 2009. He was then appointed Deputy Chief of Staff G1 at Headquarters 81 Division in 2009, and later, he commanded the 72 Special Forces Battalion Makurdi from 2012 to 2013 and again from 2014 to 2015.

In 2016, he was named the Chief of Staff at Headquarters 8 Task Force Division, Monguno. His operational acumen was further displayed when he served as the Director of Operations at the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations from January to December 2018.

Before his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff, Lagbaja was the General Officer Commanding Headquarters 82 Division from March 2021 to August 2022 and Headquarters 1 Division from August 2022 to June 2023.

Throughout his career, he has participated in various operations, including Operation HARMONY IV in the Bakassi Peninsula, the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), and internal security operations across Nigeria.

Major General T.A. Lagbaja Command/Staff/Instructional Appointments

Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja has held various Command, Staff, and Instructional appointments throughout his career in the Nigerian Army:

• Platoon Commander at 93 Battalion (1992 – 1995)
• Platoon Commander at 72 Special Forces Battalion (1995 – 2001)
• Instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy (2001 – 2004)
• Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of peacekeeping at the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations (2004)
• Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of training at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (July 2005 – February 2006)
• Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (2006 – 2009)
• Deputy Chief of Staff G1 (Administration) at Headquarters 81 Division (2009 – 2012)
• Commanding Officer at 72 Special Forces Battalion Makurdi (2012 – 2013 and 2014 – 2015)

Major General T.A. Lagbaja Operations Participated

Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja has participated in several key operations throughout his military career:

• Operation HARMONY IV in the Bakassi Peninsula.
• United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC).
• Operation ZAKI, an Internal Security Operation in Benue State.
• Operation LAFIYA DOLE, a counter-insurgency operation in the Northeast of Nigeria.
• Operation MESA/Operation UDO KA from March 2021 to August 2022, which was an Internal Security Operation in South-east Nigeria, covering Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States.
• Operation FOREST SANITY from August 2022 to 2023, an Internal Security Operation in Kaduna and Niger states.

Major General T.A. Lagbaja Honours/Awards

Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja has been recognized with several honours and awards for his service in the Nigerian Army. Here is a list of some of the notable awards he has received:

• Forces Service Star
• Meritorious Service Star
• Distinguished Service Star
• Passed Staff Course (+)
• Fellows United States Army War College
• Command Medal
• Field Command Medal
• Field Command Medal of Honour
• General Operations Medal
• Operation Harmony Medal
• United Nations Peacekeeping Operation Medal
• Operation LAFIYA DOLE Medal

Major General T.A. Lagbaja Wife and Children

Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja is married to Mrs. Mariya Abiodun-Lagbaja, and they are blessed with two children.

Major General T.A. Lagbaja Net Worth

General T.A. Lagbaja has an estimated net worth of $1 million as of 2024.