Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has extended her heartfelt congratulations to Commander Matuwo Iseoluwani Olufokunbi on his historic achievement of becoming the first Nigerian-American to qualify as a Nuclear Engineer under the US Navy Nuclear Propulsion Programme.
Commander Olufokunbi is the third Nigerian to attain this prestigious qualification, following in the footsteps of Captain Kelechi Ndukwe and Captain Frank Okata, both pioneers in the field. His remarkable feat further elevated his qualifications, enabled him to command a US Navy warship.
In a congratulatory message to the newly appointed US Navy Commander, Dabiri-Erewa expressed her pride in Olufokunbi’s extraordinary accomplishment, emphasized that it reflected the resilience, excellence, and undying spirit of Nigerians abroad. She noted that this achievement is a source of pride not only for the Nigerian diaspora but for the entire nation, demonstrating the caliber of Nigerian talent globally.
Dabiri-Erewa also encouraged Nigerian youths to draw inspiration from Commander Olufokunbi’s journey, urging them to strive for excellence in their chosen careers. “Commander Olufokunbi’s success is a shining example of what can be achieved through dedication, hard work, and commitment to one’s goals. We hope that his story will inspire the youth of Nigeria to aim high and succeed in their endeavors,” she remarked.
Commander Olufokunbi’s career with the US Navy began in 2001 when he enlisted as an Electronic Technician. He graduated from Old Dominion University in 2008 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and went on to complete the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programme. He holds a Master’s in Engineering Management from the same institution and is JPME Phase 1 qualified.
Throughout his distinguished career, Commander Olufokunbi has served on several US Navy ships, including the USS TAYLOR (FFG 50), USS SIMPSON (FFG 56), USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69), USS CARTER HALL (LSD 50), and USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72). His shore assignments have included Nuclear Programmes Officer at the Commander, Navy Recruiting Command and leading Warfighting Requirements at Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Atlantic.
A multi-decorated officer, Olufokunbi’s excellence in service has earned him numerous accolades within the US Navy, further cementing his place as a leader in his field.
