Abayomi Olonisakin


General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin is the current Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff appointed to the position on July 13, 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari. Olonisakin is a member of 25 Regular Combatant Course of 1981.

Early life and education

General Olonisakin who hails from Ekiti State had his elementary and secondary education in Zaria.
The second of five children of Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Olonishakin, Gen. 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.
He enrolled at the Nigerian Military School, Zaria in 1973 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. Gen. Olonisakin holds a Bachelor of Science degree with honours in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife.

Career

Prior to his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff, General Olonisakin was Commander, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army and Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Signals. Olonisakin was promoted to General in August 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari upon his confirmation as Chief of Defence Staff.