Tukur Yusufu Buratai

Tukur Yusufu Buratai is a retired Nigerian army lieutenant general, former [Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces|Army Staff (Nigeria)|Chief of Army Staff], and Nigeria's Ambassador to the Republic of Benin. He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1983 and has had multiple command, administrative, and instructional appointments.

Background and education

General Buratai is from Buratai town, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. His father, Yusufu Buratai, was a non commissioned officer in the Royal West African Frontier Force and World War II veteran who fought in Burma. General Buratai had his primary education at Buratai town and thereafter gained admission to Government Teachers College Potiskum, Yobe State, where he graduated with distinction.

Military career

In January 1981, Buratai attended the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna as a member of Burma battalion of the 29 Regular Combatant Course where he was given the prestigious appointment of Cadet Sergeant Major. On successful completion of his Officer Cadet training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 17 December 1983 into the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army. Buratai has a degree in history from University of Maiduguri and a degree in philosophy from Bangladesh University of Professionals, Dhaka. He is also a graduate of National Defence College, Mirpur, Bangladesh.
He served in 26 Amphibious Battalion Elele, Port Harcourt, Military Observer at the United Nations Verification Mission II in Angola; later 26 Guards Battalion, Lagos; Lagos Garrison Command Camp. Lt Gen Buratai also served as administrative officer at the State House, Abuja; 82 Motorized Battalion; 81 Battalion, Bakassi Peninsular; Army Headquarters Garrison, Abuja before he became a Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, earning the prestigious "Pass Staff College Dagger" appellation.
Subsequently, he served at AHQ Dept of Army Policy and Plans, Abuja; Assistant Chief of Staff Administrative Matters, HQ Infantry Centre Jaji. Additionally, he was again at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College as Director Dept of Land Warfare from where he was appointed Commander 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, doubling as Commander, Sector 2 JTF Operation PULO SHIELD. Upon promotion to the rank of Major General, he was appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji; thereafter he was appointed Director of Procurement DHQ before being appointed Force Commander of the newly reconstituted Multinational Joint Task Force under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Benin Republic, an appointment he held till he became Chief of Army Staff.
His operational deployments include Military Observer at the United Nations Verification Mission II in Angola, Op HARMONY IV in the Bakassi Peninsular, OP MESA, Op PULO SHIELD, Op SAFE CONDUCT, MNJTF, Op ZAMAN LAFIYA, and Op LAFIYA DOLE. He was appointed Chief of Army Staff on 13 July 2015.
Tukur Buratai was rumoured to have been replaced by President Buhari following the promotion of Maj.-Gen. L.O Adeosun to Lieutenant General, making him of the same rank with Buratai. But the report was immediately debunked by the Army. General Tukur Buratai was resigned on January 26, 2021.

Major Achievements as Chief of Army Staff

Following his appointment as Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusufu Buratai oversaw various military operations targeting Boko Haram insurgents in northeastern Nigeria. Within the first few months of his tenure, Nigerian troops regained control of areas such as Gamboru Ngala, which had previously been under insurgent control.
On 25 July 2017, Buratai approved the promotion of 6,199 soldiers involved in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
Buratai also initiated and commissioned various infrastructure and welfare-related projects for the Nigerian Army. These included the establishment of the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches, residential buildings in locations such as Jaji and Khobe Cantonment, and water and guesthouse renovations.
During his tenure, several institutions and initiatives were launched, including:

Nigerian Army Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies, Biu
Command Secondary School, Kebbi
Nigerian Army Aviation Hangar, Jaji
Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command
Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company
Army War College Nigeria
Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Museum
Nigerian Army Officers Wives Hospital
Army-owned housing estates
Army Agricultural Business Enterprise Limited
Various Special Forces and Motorcycle Battalions
Indigenous Infantry Patrol Vehicle and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected systems
Establishment of the 6th and 8th Divisions
Nigerian Language Training Institute

Publications

Tukur Yusufu Buratai is associated with a number of publications, including works on leadership, military experience, and fictional narratives:The Legend of Buratai it's a mini or conscise autobiography of General Buratai targeted towards youths.Thoughts and Principles on Leadership – a work reflecting on leadership values and personal principles.Nigeria’s War on Terror – a publication discussing Nigeria’s counterinsurgency strategy and security operations.Makintakururi: The Disaster That Never Was – details currently unavailable.In the Mind of the General – details currently unavailable.

Dates of promotion

Buratai's promotion dates are

Year	Insignia	Rank
December 1983		Second lieutenant
1985		Lieutenant
1989		Captain
1994		Major
1998		Lieutenant colonel
2004		Colonel
2009		Brigadier general
2012		Major general
August 2015		Lieutenant general

Philanthropy

Tukur Yusufu Buratai Co- founded the TY Buratai Human Care Foundation and Tukur Foundation are Non - Profit Organization focuses on advancement of human society through fostering access to justice for citizens and investing in human capital.
The NGOs TY Buratai Human Care Foundation in collaboration with Tukur Foundation organises free medical outreach over 1800 persons benefit from it in Kano State.
On 27th June TY Buratai Human Care Foundation has joined the Nigerian Army in paying tribute to 17 courageous soldiers killed during a fierce confrontation with suspected bandit in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State. The donated education materials and welfare to children,of those affected military personnel sacrifice for the nation's.
The TY Buratai Literary Initiative has distributed 40 assorted books to encouraging reading culture among school children in Girau International School in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Awards

Lt Gen Buratai's honors and awards include:

Forces Service Star
Meritorious Service Star
Distinguished Service Star
Grand Service Star.
Pass Staff Course Dagger
Field Command Medal
Training Support Medal
United Nations Medal for Angolan Verification Medal II
2022 – Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic
Honorary Doctor from Nigerian Army University, Biu

Traditional Titles

TAFARKI, Gora, Nasarawa State.
EBERE EKOO 1 of Alesa, Alesa Eleme, Rivers State.
Barden Borgu, Niger State.
Kauran Gusau, Zamfara State.
Nye Oha I of ELele, Rivers State.
Osiminyi of Agilaland, Ad'oba, Benue State.
Sardaunan Bakoshi Kebbi State.
Sarkin Yakin Kalgo, Kebbi State.
Magayakin Kasar Hausa, Daura, Katsina State.
KATUKAN GASHAKA Serti, Taraba State.
Aare Akinrogun of Ibadanland Ibadan.
Ochi Oluje of Idomaland. Otukpo Benue State.
DIKE EJI EJE OGU NKE MBU OBETITI NGURU MBAISE of Obetiti Nguru Autonomous Community of Aboh Mbaise LGA Imo State.
Majen Doma, Nasarawa State.
Shettiman Kili Bauchi State.
Kachallan Darazo Bauchi State.
DIKE EJI EJE MBA 1 of Amakohia Ubi, Imo State
Uzo Yaare of Uhonmora. Uhonmora, Edo State.
JARMAN MARADUN Zamfara State.
KACHALLAH NGAWAMA - of Machinama Yobe State.
EZE 1 OMENMA ELI OF ODUOHA OGBAKI Rivers State.
GARKUWAN KEFFI. Nasarawa State.
MAJIDADIN Uke. Nasarawa State.
Birma Bwari Abuja FCT
JAGUNMOLU OF SAKI KINGDOM, OYO STATE.
Betara of Biu.
Sadaukin Kauran Namoda Zamfara State
Baakore of Akure Kingdom, Ondo State.
Sadaukin Jajere, Yobe State.
OCHIAGHA DIKE EJI EJE OGU - AGULERI ANAMBRA STATE.
Garkuwan Yunusar, Yobe State.
KHITUK Gwong kafanchan, Kaduna State.