Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin CFR psc(+) GSS CMH fwc (born 2 December 1961) is a retired Nigerian Army general, former Chief of Defence Staff, and current Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon.[2] He was appointed to the position of Chief of Defence Staff on 13 July 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari.[3] He resigned from office on 29 January 2021.[4]
Abayomi Olonisakin | |
|---|---|
 Olonisakin in 2018 | |
| Chief of Defence Staff | |
| In office 21 July 2015 – 29 January 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Alex Sabundu Badeh |
| Succeeded by | Lucky Irabor |
| Commander of TRADOC | |
| In office September 2013 – July 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Salihu Zaway Uba |
| Succeeded by | Mobolaji Koleoso |
| Commander of the Nigerian Army Corps of Signals | |
| In office January 2013 – September 2013 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 December 1961[1] Ekiti state, Nigeria |
| Alma mater | Nigeria Military School Nigerian Defence Academy Obafemi Awolowo University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Nigeria |
| Branch/service |  Nigerian Army |
| Years of service | 1979 – 2021 |
| Rank |  General |
| Commands | Chief of Defence Staff Commander of TRADOC Commander of the Army Corps of Signals |
Early life and education
editGeneral Olonisakin who hails from Ekiti State[5] and had his elementary and secondary education in Zaria. The third of five children, Olonisakin grew up in the Odo Ijebu Quarters of Ode Ekiti, Gbonyin local government area, Ekiti State, where his parents were active member of the local CMS church.[6] He enrolled at the Nigerian Military School, Zaria in 1973[7] and later joined the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 25th Regular Combatant Course. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army Signal Corps in 1981.[7] Olonisakin holds a Bachelor of Science degree with honours in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ife.[7]
Career
editPrior to his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff, General Olonisakin was commander of the following formations
Olonisakin was promoted to General in August 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari upon his confirmation as Chief of Defence Staff.[10]
Awards
editIn October 2022, a Nigerian national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Profile of the Chief of Defence Staff". Nigerian Defence Info. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ "Buratai posted to Benin, Olonisakin, Cameroon". Punch Newspapers. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
- ^ "Profiles of newly appointed service chiefs by Buhari". Vanguard Nigeria. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Buhari fires Buratai, other Service Chiefs, names replacements". 26 January 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
- ^ Admin (20 February 2019). "OLONISAKIN, Gen Abayomi Gabriel". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ Adebusuyi, Doyin (27 July 2015). "Nigeria: Into the Roots of New Chief of Defence Staff". Daily Trust (Abuja). Retrieved 2 January 2018.
- ^ a b c "BRIEF BIOGRAPHY of MAJ GEN AG Olonisakin". Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army Minna. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ "Nigerian Commander of Training and Doctrine Command". African Defense Magazine. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Army redeploys 317 senior officers". Nigeria Daily News. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ Agba, George. "As Service Chiefs Get Promotion: PMB Gives Marching Orders On Boko Haram". Leadership Nigeria. Archived from the original on 20 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
- ^ "FULL LIST: 2022 National Honours Award Recipients The Nation Newspaper". 9 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.