James Oluleye (20 April 1930 – 2 July 2009) was a Nigerian Army major general who served as Federal Commissioner of Finance (1977–79), Federal Commissioner of Establishment and Service Matters (1975–77), and who commanded the Nigerian Army's 2nd Division from 1970 to 1975.

He later attended Ibadan Archdeaconry Teacher Training College where he obtained his Teaching Certificates (Grades II and III).

Some of his military postings include: Then Major Oluleye was second-in-command to Lt. Col Mohammed Shuwa at the 5th Battalion in Kano during the Nigerian Army Mutiny of July 1966 where many Igbo military officers were systematically murdered by their northern counterparts for what the northern soldiers perceived as retribution for the January 15, 1966 coup (which was led by mostly Igbo officers).

Foreseeing the potential for large scale bloodshed, Major Oluleye asked his company commanders to lock up the battalion armory and to store the keys in his safe.

As a result of Oluleye's leadership and foresight, many Igbo officers lives were spared in Kano during the July mutiny.