The Nigerian Army has renamed the Ikeja Cantonment after late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, in honour of his legacy and commemorating his 57th posthumous birthday.
The posthumous birthday ceremony, which took place at the cantonment now known as the T.A. Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja, followed impressive facility upgrades including an engraved portrait of General Lagbaja.
The event marks General Lagbaja’s posthumous 57th birthday and brought together top military officials, including all serving members of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Course 39, who were the late Lagbaja’s course mates.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a goodwill message described the renaming as a testament of gratitude and recognition of Lagbaja’s courage, service, and patriotism.
“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 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.
The state governor encouraged General Lagbaja’s widow, Mrs. Mariam Lagbaja, to walk with pride, knowing her husband was a true leader who served professionally with everything he had.
Also speaking at the venue, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said renaming the cantonment aligns with a long-standing military tradition of immortalising distinguished personalities who have significantly contributed to strengthening the Armed Forces.
THE UNVEILING OF TA LAGBAJA CANTONMENT IKEJA – LAGOS STATE pic.twitter.com/WdOu1UmrOn
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) March 1, 2025
“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.”
Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede noted that Lagbaja’s leadership and vision continue to positively impact the lives of soldiers and their families.
According to the COAS, the legacies that are enduring lay credence to the depth of selflessness and dedication to duty, which mere words cannot express but can only be quantified through irrepressible adoration.
“It is in our bid to ensure that the good memories of our late leaders outlive their generation and that their deeds are etched in marble that the Nigerian Army names barracks and cantonments after prominent personalities, campaigns, and events.”
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