The Ikeja Military Cantonment in Lagos has been officially renamed T.A. Lagbaja Cantonment in honor of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
The renaming ceremony on Friday was attended by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Musa, and other top military officials.
Lagbaja, who passed away on November 5, 2024, was appointed COAS on June 19, 2023, by President Bola Tinubu. His military career began in 1987 when he enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy, rising through the ranks until his appointment as the country’s top army officer.
The renaming was in commemoration of his 57th posthumous birthday.
The posthumous birthday ceremony, which took place on Friday at the cantonment, followed impressive facility upgrades, including an engraved portrait of Lagbaja made with over 400,000 half-inch nails at the refurbished digital gate by the 9 Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Olawale Matthew Oyekola.
Others remodelled accommodation for the Commander of 9 Brigade, a newly built residence for the Commander of 70 Supply and Transport Command, and renovated quarters for both Corporals and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs),
The event brought together top military officials, including all serving members of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Course 39, who were the late Lagbaja’s coursemates.
In his goodwill message, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the renaming as a testament of gratitude and recognition of Lagbaja’s courage, service, and patriotism.
He said: “This cantonment has not only been a symbol of courage; it has been a symbol of discipline and fidelity. It has been home to thousands of brave men and women who have defended the sovereignty of our nation with their lives in the greatest moments of triumph, resilience, and sacrifice.
“Therefore, renaming it after Lieutenant General Lagbaja is a fitting tribute to a leader, a gentleman, and an officer whose life embodies all of these values. A distinguished infantry officer who served in the Nigerian Army with dedication for over three decades, he played key roles in counter-insurgency operations, internal security, and peacekeeping missions.
“By renaming this cantonment after him, we are sending a strong message to our Armed Forces and to future generations that Nigeria will always honour and celebrate our brave men and women in uniform, not just in times of conflict but in moments of peace. We must remind them that their sacrifice will not go unrecognised.”
Sanwo-Olu commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the renaming of the cantonment, noting that his administration has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces. The governor also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to providing collaboration, infrastructural development, and welfare support to security services to safeguard Lagos.
To Lagbaja’s widow, Mrs. Mariam Lagbaja, the Governor said she should walk with pride, knowing her husband was a true leader who served professionally with everything he had.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, explained that renaming the cantonment aligns with a long-standing military tradition of immortalising distinguished personalities who have significantly contributed to strengthening the Armed Forces.
“Not only did General Lagbaja embody the meaning of honour, loyalty, and military professionalism, but he was also a loving husband and father, a dear friend, and above all, a remarkable gentleman and true brother-in-arms.
“I am deeply elated that the leadership of the Nigerian Army has chosen to immortalise General Lagbaja as a tribute to his contributions to the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The choice of Ikeja Military Cantonment—home to Headquarters 9 Brigade Nigerian Army, which the late Chief of Army Staff commanded—is a fitting tribute to his enduring sacrifice and visionary leadership.
“This cantonment has a long-standing history in the annals of the Nigerian Army, and General Lagbaja remains a fixed point in that history, from his exemplary leadership as Brigade Commander to the numerous infrastructural legacies under his watch as Chief of Army Staff.
“In this vein, I wholeheartedly support and appreciate the decision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General O.O. Oluyede, to rename this cantonment after the late Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja. It is a remarkable demonstration of camaraderie that will resonate across generations—both those present today and those yet to come.”
