A Nigerian-American US Navy Officer, Commander Matuwo Olufokunbi has become the first Nigerian-American to qualify as the a Nuclear Engineer under the United State Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program.
CMDR Olufokunbi is now the third Nigerian-American to command a U.S. Navy warship.
Victor Agunbiade, a fellow Nigerian-born U.S. Naval officer, on his X account on Thursday shared the good news while congratulating Olufokunbi.
“Big congratulations to my brother CDR Olufokunbi Matuwo—another Nigeria-born US Navy Commander takes the helm of USS OAK HILL (LSD 51). He is the third Nigeria-born to Command US Navy warship. Proud of you brother!!!
“This is an extraordinary milestone and chapter in your professional career brother! Wishing you the very best of this Command at Sea tour,” Agunbiade added.
The USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) also confirmed Olufokunbi’s appointment as the new commanding officer in a statement released via Facebook on Thursday.
“Today, we bid farewell to CDR Jason Nowell as CDR Matuwo Olufokunbi assumed command of our Nation’s Protector. Please join us in welcoming CDR Olufokunbi to his new role and in thanking CDR Nowell for his steadfast leadership and unwavering dedication to the ship and her crew,” the statement read.
Commander Matuwo Iseoluwani Olufokunbi enlisted in the Navy as an Electronic Technician in January 2001, was accepted into the Seaman to Admiral Program, and graduated from Old Dominion University in May 2008 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He is also a graduate of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, JPME Phase 1 Qualified, and holds a Master in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.
Commander Olufokunbi has served at sea as Electronic Technician on USS TAYLOR (FFG 50), Intelligence Officer-Electronic Warfare Officer-Combat Information Center Officer on USS SIMPSON (FFG 56), Reactor Electrical-Reactor Auxiliary-Reactor Propulsion Division Officer on USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69), Combat Systems Officer on USS CARTER HALL (LSD 50), and Main Propulsion Assistant on USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72).
Ashore, he served at Commander, Navy Recruiting Command as Nuclear Programs Officer and Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Atlantic as the Naval Surface Forces Expeditionary, Amphibious Warfare (AMW) and Mine Warfare (MIW) Warfighting Requirement and Assessment Lead.
His military decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal (4 Awards), Navy Achievement Medal (3 Awards), and various unit, campaign, and service awards.
