Brigadier General Olatunji L. Olayinka was born on Saturday,13th of June 1970 to the family of Late High Chief Lateef Mobolaji Olayinka and Kikelomo Olawanle Olayinka. He was the seventh (7th) child of the Lateef Olayinka family.
TJ, as he was fondly called, had his nursery and primary school education at Yewande Memorial Nursery and Primary School before proceeding to the Nigeria Military School (NMS), Zaria for his secondary education. While in NMS, he was in Echo Company where he rose to become a Boy Sergeant of the School. While awaiting his WAEC results, young Private Olayinka was posted to Jos, Plateau State where he performed several military duties, including being a night guard in the home of some senior officers.
As expected, TJ passed his WAEC in flying colours and prepared to proceed to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna after being successful at the Armed Forces Selection Board. However, his Dad vehemently refused, stating that none of his children would join the Nigerian Army. Against this backdrop, TJ reluctantly sat for the JAMB examination and was admitted to the Lagos State University, Ojo. With the desire to join the military still strong, TJ “intentionally” flunked his first-year exams in LASU and was “advised to withdraw” from the Institution. He subsequently took the NDA Entrance Examination “again” and passed. Having been asked to withdraw from LASU, Dad had no choice but to grant his wish and bless his decision and choice to join the military.
TJ joined the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 40th Regular Course to study Economics and was in Burma Battalion. In his final year, he was selected alongside one of his course mates to complete his training at the Prestigious Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, England. However, because of the June 12 saga and the tensions between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, they were withdrawn mid-course and had to return to the NDA to complete their course before being granted a Presidential Commission in the rank of 2nd Lieutenant on 17 September 1994. He was thereafter posted to the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP).
As a fresh Second Lieutenant from the Academy, TJ was posted to the HQ NACMP Apapa and appointed Platoon Commander. He was later drafted to HQ 7 Brigade ECOMOG Liberia as a Platoon Commander. Upon his return, he was appointed Company Second in Command at the HQ NACMP Administrative Company in Arakan Barracks Apapa. As a Captain due to his hard work and diligent nature to duty, he was appointed Aide-De-Camp to the General Officers Commanding 3 Division and 2 Division of the Nigerian Army at different times. Still as a Captain, he was posted to HQ Special Investigations’ Bureau as the Administrative Officer. He equally served as the Officer Commanding Ministry of Defence Provost Group before being appointed General Staff Officer Grade 2 at his Corps HQ. At different times at his HQ, he also held the appointments of Staff Officer 1 Grade 4, Deputy Chief of Staff Grade 3 and Chief of Staff. Once again, he was called to serve on the international scene as a Military Observer to the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire. Upon his return, his instructional ability was required when he was posted to the Nigerian Army School of Military Police (NASMP) Basawa, Zaria as Senior Instructor. He had a spell as the Acting Commander HQ 1 Division Provost Group Kaduna before he continued his instructional tour of duty as a Directing Staff at the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. Again, his service was requested on the international scene this time on instructional appointment as a Directing Staff at the well-known Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College. After a notable career as an astute Instructor, he was appointed Commander Special Investigations’ Bureau and later Commandant of the NASMP before being posted to the National Defence College as a Directing Staff. Indeed, his instructional capacity was unique having bagged a triple dagger. The term dagger symbolises an embodiment of knowledge and the ability to tutor, mentor and impart knowledge at specific operational level and strategic level military institutions. Before his untimely demise, he attained the peak of his military police career when appointed Acting Provost Marshal (A).
During his meritorious career he earned the following honours and medals:
Distinguished Service Star
Meritorious Service Star
Forces Service Star
Golden Jubilee Medal
Silver Jubilee Medal
River Benue Star
Fellow Defence College (Dagger)
Pass Staff Course (Dagger Dagger)
United Nations Operations Medal
Command Medal
Training Support Medal
General Operations Medal
Corps Medal of Honour
TJ was a very brilliant, highly cerebral Gentleman Officer as evidenced by the 3 Master’s Degrees he obtained from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the University of Ibadan. He was an officer with a great sense of purpose. He exhibited the traits of a professional soldier. Until his demise in the ill-fated plane crash, TJ was pursuing his MPhil/PhD in the Department of Peace, Security and Humanitarian Studies at the University of Ibadan.
The late Brigadier General Olatunji L. Olayinka left behind to mourn him: his wife,daughter, mother, siblings, cousins, course mates, colleagues, friends, and fellow soldiers.
