Ọ̀gá àwọn Ọmọṣẹ́ Agbógun tàbí Ọ̀gá Ọmọṣẹ́ Agbógun lásán (Chief of Army Staff ní èdè gẹ̀ẹ́sì) ni ipò tó gajùlọ òsìṣẹ́ ológun ní ibiṣẹ́ Agbógun ará Nàìjíríà.[1] The position is often occupied by the most senior commissioned officer appointed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.[2] The Chief of Army Staff reports to the Chief of Defence Staff, who also reports to the Defence Minister.[3] The Statutory duty of the Officer is to formulate and execute policies towards the highest attainment of National Security and operational competence of the force.[4]
Following is a chronological list of officers holding the position of General Officer Commanding (GOC) or Chief of Army Staff (COAS).[5]
| Officer | Title | Period Served | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maj Gen Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi | GOC | 1965–1966 | Later military ruler |
| Lt Col Yakubu Gowon FSS | COAS | January 1966 - July 1966 | Later military ruler |
| Lt Col Joseph Akahan OFR FSS | COAS | May 1967 - May 1968 | |
| Maj Gen Hassan Katsina rcds psc | COAS | May 1968 - January 1971 | |
| Maj Gen David Ejoor | COAS | January 1971 - July 1975 | |
| Lt Gen Theophilus Danjuma | COAS | July 1975 - October 1979 | |
| Lt Gen Ipoola Alani Akinrinade CFR FSS | COAS | October 1979 - April 1980 | Later Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) |
| Lt Gen Gibson Jalo CFR FSS JSS | COAS | April 1980 - October 1981 | Later Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) |
| Lt Gen Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi CFR FSS | COAS | October 1981 - October 1983 | |
| Maj Gen Ibrahim Babangida | COAS | January 1984 - August 1985 | Later military ruler |
| Lt Gen Sani Abacha GCON, DSS mni | COAS | August 1985 - August 1990 | Later military ruler |
| Lt Gen Salihu Ibrahim FSS FHWC | COAS | August 1990 - September 1993 | |
| Lt Gen Aliyu Gusau Mohammed DSS rcds | COAS | September 1993 - November 1993 | |
| Maj Gen Chris Alli CRG DSS ndc psc(+) | COAS | November 1993 - August 1994?? | |
| Maj Gen Alwali Kazir DSS Usawc psc(+) | COA | August 1994 - March 1996 | |
| Lt Gen Ishaya Bamaiyi DSS Usawc psc(+) | COAS | March 1996-May 1999 | |
| Lt Gen Victor Malu DSS mni fwc psc | COAS | May 1999 - April 2001 | |
| Lt Gen Alexander Ogomudia | COAS | April 2001 - June 2003 | Later Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). |
| Lt Gen Martin Luther Agwai | COAS | June 2003 June 2006 | Later Commander of the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur. |
| Lt Gen Owoye Andrew Azazi | COAS | 1 June 2006 - May 2007 | Later Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). |
| Lt Gen Luka Yusuf CFR GSS GPP DSO psc(+) fwc Msc | COAS | June 2007 - August 2008 | |
| Lt Gen Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau CFR GSS psc ndc fwc(+) PhD | COAS | August 2008 - September 2010 | |
| Lt Gen Onyabor Azubuike Ihejirika CFR GSS psc(+) fwc fniqs | COAS | September 2010 - January 2014 | |
| Lt Gen Kenneth Minimah GSS psc(+) fwc | COAS | January 2014 – July 2015 | |
| Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai NAM GSS psc(+) ndc (BD) | COAS | July 2015 – May 2021 | |
| Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru NAM GSS psc(+) ndc (BD) | COAS | May 2021 – |