The United States Army War College (USAWC) has posthumously honoured the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the 23rd Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Nigerian Army, with his induction into the prestigious International Hall of Fame (IHOF).

The distinguished recognition took place on Monday, October 13, 2025, during the opening ceremony of the ongoing Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Convention at the Walter E. Washington Convention Centre in Washington, D.C., USA.

Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, stated that the Commandant of the USAWC, Major General Trevor J. Bredenkamp, presented the posthumous honour in acknowledgement of the late General Lagbaja’s leadership, service, and contributions to military professionalism and international peace and security.

“The recognition highlighted his achievements as an alumnus of the institution who rose to become Nigeria’s 23rd Chief of Army Staff. The late Lieutenant General Lagbaja was one of six inductees honoured at the event, making him the first Nigerian Army officer enshrined in the USAWC International Hall of Fame in the institution’s illustrious 124-year history, a testament to his enduring legacy of excellence and service to humanity,” she said.

Major General Adeleke Ayannuga received the honour on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, alongside Mrs Maria Abiodun Lagbaja, representing the late COAS.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Director General of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Major General G.O. Adesina; the Director General of the Defence Headquarters Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre, Major General G.T.O. Ajetunmobi; and Mrs Deborah Aboderin of the Office of Security Cooperation, U.S. Embassy, Abuja.

Also present were the Nigerian Defence Attaché to the United States, Army officers undergoing higher professional military education at the National Defence University in Washington, D.C., the United States Army War College, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, alongside other senior Nigerian Army officers participating in the AUSA 2025 Annual Convention.

The Chief of Army Staff expressed pride in the honour bestowed upon the late Lieutenant General Lagbaja, emphasising the immortalisation of his distinguished service and the Nigerian Army’s commitment to professionalism, discipline, and global peace and security.