Tukur Yusufu Buratai (born 24 November 1960) is a retired Nigerian army lieutenant general, former Chief of Army Staff (appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2015), and former 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.
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.
He hold a Bachelor of Art (BA) in History from University of Maiduguri in 1990 and Masters of Art (MA) from same university in 1992, and another Masters of Philosophy (MPhil) in Security Studies, from Bangladesh University of Professionals Dhaka, in 2009. He also attended senior course and junior course, Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji Nigeria from (1999 - 2000 - 1994). He received Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in leadership and peace (Honoris Causa) in Kaduna State University and Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) in International Relations and Strategic, from Igbinedion University, Okada in 2023, and another Doctor of Letter (DLitt) (Honoris Causa), from Nigerian Army University, Biu in 2023. He is a professor of Strategic Studies (Honoris Causa), Igbinedion University, Okada.
In January 1981, Buratai attended the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna as a member of Burma battalion of the 29 Regular Combatant Course (29 RC) where he was given the prestigious appointment of Cadet Sergeant Major (CSM). 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" (psc(+)) 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 (MJTNF) 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.
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 (Plateau State), and water and guesthouse renovations.
During his tenure, several institutions and initiatives were launched, including:
÷ Strategic Visionary: Demonstrated a unique ability to conceptualize and implement a long-term, holistic vision for military transformation, moving beyond immediate operational needs to build enduring institutional capacity through the creation of universities, war colleges, and research centres.
Attended numerous tactical and strategic-level courses in Nigeria and abroad, including the Young Officers Course (Infantry),
Tukur Yusufu Buratai is associated with a number of publications, including works on leadership, military experience, and fictional narratives:
Buratai's promotion dates are
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 (TYLI) has distributed 40 assorted books to encouraging reading culture among school children in Gorau International School in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Lt Gen Buratai's honors and awards include:
Tukur Yusufu Buratai is married and blessed with eight children's four male, four female. His hobbies are farming, squash racket and jogging.