Nigerian Army Renames Ikeja Cantonment in Honor of Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja
The Nigerian Army has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, by renaming the Ikeja Cantonment in his honor.
The cantonment will now be known as T.A. Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja. This gesture is a testament to the Army’s gratitude for Lagbaja’s courage, service, and patriotism.
The renaming ceremony, which coincided with Lagbaja’s posthumous 57th birthday, was attended by top military officials, including his coursemates from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Course 39.
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his goodwill message, praising the decision to rename the cantonment as a fitting tribute to Lagbaja’s legacy.
The event also showcased impressive facility upgrades, including an engraved picture of Lagbaja made with over 400,000 nails at the refurbished main gate. Other upgrades include newly installed digital boards, remodelled accommodations for Commander 9 Brigade and Commander 70 Supply and Transport Command, and renovated quarters for Corporal Below and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs).
Sanwo-Olu 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 moment 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 his values. A distinguished infantry officer who served in the Nigerian Army with dedication for over three decades; who played key roles in counter-insurgent operations, internal security, and peace-keeping 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.”
He commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the renaming of the cantonment, noting that his administration has by the gesture, demonstrated its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces.
Sanwo-Olu restated his government’s commitment to providing collaboration, infrastructural and welfare support to security services to safeguard Lagos.
“Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s existence in Nigeria’s security landscape, his leadership in counterterrorism, and his unwavering commitment to professionalism in the Nigerian Army are worthy of our honour. His name will now be permanently etched in the foundation of this cantonment to remind us of all of the values we seek- service, excellence and selflessness,” he said.
For Mrs. Lagbaja, Mariam Lagbaja, Sanwo-Olu encouraged her to always walk with pride because her husband was a good leader who served professionally with everything he had.
In his address, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said the act was a military tradition done to immortalize distinguished personalities, who made significant contributions to strengthening and repositioning the Armed Forces to meet its constitutional mandate.
