The United States Navy’s Commander Matuwo Olufokunbi is the first Nigerian-American to get a nuclear engineer qualification under the esteemed U.S. Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program.
He is also the third commander of Nigerian descent to command a battleship in the U.S. Navy.
Victor Agunbiade, a fellow U.S. Navy lieutenant who was born in Nigeria, announced the news on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday. Agunbiade wrote, “I celebrate this rare milestone achievement, brother.”
He continued: “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.
Olufokunbi’s nomination as the new commanding officer was also confirmed by the USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) in a statement posted on 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.
Olufokunbi joined the Navy as an Electronic Technician in January 2001, marking the beginning of his Navy career. Later, he became a member of the Seaman to Admiral Program and graduated from Old Dominion University in May 2008 with a degree in Electrical Engineering.
He has a master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University, is a graduate of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, and is qualified for JPME Phase 1.
During his illustrious career on land, Olufokunbi held the positions of Nuclear Programs Officer at Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, and Naval Surface Forces Expeditionary, Amphibious Warfare (AMW), and Mine Warfare (MIW) Warfighting Requirement and Assessment Lead at Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Atlantic.
He has received multiple unit, campaign, and service awards in addition to the Navy Commendation Medal (four medals) and Navy Achievement Medal (three).