Col Olalekan Dimeji Bamiteko (FSS, CM, FICEN, MSc, MNARC, MTRCN, MILT, PhD) was born on 2 November 1978 in Ipoti Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria.
He had his early education at Abimbola Primary School and Stadium High School, both in Surulere, Lagos State. His quest for academic excellence led him to the University of Calabar in 1999, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.
He obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Teachers' Institute and a Postgraduate Diploma in Information Management and Library Services from Ahmadu Bello University. He earned a Master of Science degree in Economics and later a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics from the University of Lagos. His academic accomplishments reflect a rare blend of economic, educational, managerial, and psychological expertise.
Outside his professional engagements, he enjoys reading and playing badminton. He is married to Estate Surveyor Mrs. Sarah Bamiteko, and the union is blessed with three children.
Driven by a passion for service and national development, he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army through the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC 15) on 8 December 2007 in the rank of Lieutenant, with effective seniority from the same date. He converted to Direct Regular Commission (DRC 15) in 2011 and is a distinguished member of the Nigerian Army Education Corps (NAEC).
Throughout his military career, Col Bamiteko has demonstrated a consistent commitment to professional growth. He has attended several military courses commensurate with his rank, including the Young Officers’ Infantry Course, Young Officers’ Education Course, Basic and Advanced Education Officers’ Courses, and the NAEC Executive Management Course.
He further broadened his expertise at the Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management, Ojo, where he completed the Logistics Management Staff Course. His international exposure includes participation in the Peace Support Operations Planning Course at the Martin Luther Agwai Peacekeeping Centre and the Air Liaison Course at the US Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute.
Command, Staff & Instructional Appointments:
Col Bamiteko served as Acting Officer Commanding Enugu Company and Instructor at the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, and later posted to NASFA Apapa, appointed as College Librarian. At Headquarters Nigerian Army Education Corps (HQ NAEC), Yaba, he served as Acting SO2 G3/G7 and subsequently as Acting SO1 G3/G7. He also served internationally as a Liaison Officer with Sector Alfa of the Nigerian Contingent, United Nations Mission in Liberia.
His leadership credentials were further demonstrated as Brigade Education Officer at 2 Brigade, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt; Acting Commandant at CDSS Mokola and CDSS Ikeja; and Acting SO1/Research Officer at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja. He served as NARC Liaison Officer with Operation Hadin Kai and as Commanding Officer of the Trainees Battalion at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi. He later held the appointments of Acting Director, 81 Division Education Services, and Acting Commandant, CSS Lagos. He is currently serving as the Acting Rector, Nigerian Army College of Environmental Science and Technology, Makurdi, Benue State.
Operational Deployments:
Operation Harmony IV with 146 Amphibious Battalion, the African Union Vanguard Operation in Sierra Leone with 3 Infantry Battalion, and the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (NIBATT 17). He also served in Operation Crocodile Smile I and II with 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, and contributed as Secretary, AHQ Committee on TOE of ORBATT 2006 in Operation Hadin Kai (MNJTF). Additionally, he served as a United Nations Staff Officer in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (Sector Alfa).
Honours and Awards:
Force Service Star (FSS), Command Medal (CM), United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone Medal, and United Nations Mission in Liberia Medal.
His academic and professional excellence has been recognized with several Best Overall Student Awards across multiple military courses, the COAS Best Overall Student Award, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport National President’s Best Student Award, the Corps Commander ST Best Student in Logistics Planning Department Award, and the Maj Gen JO Irefin Memorial Award as Best All-Round Student during the Logistics Management Staff Course 19/21.
Professional Memberships:
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (FICEN), member of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (MTRCN), the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (MNARC), and the Institute of Logistics and Transport (MILT).