By IBOK-ETE Ekwe Ibas CFR was born on 27 September 1960. He is a retired Navy Vice Admiral who served as the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Nigerian Navy from 2015 to 2021.
Ibok-ete Ekwe Ibas CFR
Early Life and Education
Ibas was born in Nko, Cross River State.
He began his primary education at Nko Primary School, Nko, in 1966 and completed it at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971. He then proceeded to the prestigious Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar, from 1972 to 1976. Between 1977 and 1979, he attended the School of Basic Studies, Ogoja, before enrolling at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1979.
Military Training and Qualifications
Ibas enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 26 Regular Course on 20 June 1979 and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant on 1 January 1983.
He has attended several military courses both in Nigeria and abroad, including:
Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy, India (April 1983 – May 1984).
Primary Pilot Training at the 301 Primary Flying Training School, Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna (April 1986 – October 1987).
Junior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna (January – June 1990).
Diploma in Amphibious Warfare at the Amphibious Warfare School, United States Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia, USA (July 1992 – May 1993).
Officers’ Long Course (Underwater Warfare Specialisation) at the Underwater Warfare School, NNS Quorra (February 1994 – February 1995).
Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (August 1996 – July 1997).
National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Islamabad, Pakistan (August 2005 – June 2006).
Master’s Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Military Career
Ibas has held several key appointments in the Nigerian Navy, serving in both operational and administrative capacities.
As a midshipman, he served aboard NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma, and NNS Aradu. After his commissioning as a Sub-Lieutenant, he was a Watchkeeping Officer on NNS Ayam and NNS Ekpe.
Between July 1993 and August 1996, he served as the Executive Officer of NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe as a Lieutenant Commander. He later commanded:
Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School (August 1997 – September 1998).
Forward Operating Base, Ibaka (September 1998 – June 2000).
Following his outstanding performance on the Senior Staff Course, he was appointed as a Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (June 2000 – June 2002). He returned in January 2009 as Director of the Department of Maritime Warfare, holding the position until November 2010. His final tenure at the college was as Deputy Commandant (January – February 2014).
Ibas also held several key administrative and command positions:
Naval Provost Marshal (April 2003 – June 2004).
Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Naval Staff (June 2004 – July 2005).
Command Operations Officer, Western Naval Command (June – December 2006).
Commander, Naval Air Base, Ojo (December 2006 – January 2009).
Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command, Lagos (September 2010 – March 2011).
Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters (March 2011 – February 2012).
Navy Secretary (February 2012 – January 2013).
Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command (January 2013 – January 2014).
Chief of Logistics (February 2014).
GMD/CEO, Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited (December 2014 – July 2015).
On 13 July 2015, he was appointed as the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff.
Honours and Recognitions
In October 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari conferred upon him the Nigerian National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Professional Memberships and Seminars
Ibas is a member of several reputable professional organisations, including:
Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).
Nigerian Institute of Management.
He has attended various seminars and exhibitions worldwide, including:
25th International Homeland Security Exhibition and the 3rd International Exhibition for Operational Units, Tel Aviv, Israel (June 2011).
London International Leadership Course, London, England (August 2012).
Capacity Development Course, Harvard Kennedy School, USA (January 2013).
Naval Engineering and Logistics Seminar, Naval Dockyard, Lagos (February 2013).
Conclusion
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR is a distinguished naval officer whose career spans over four decades of dedicated service to the Nigerian Navy. His expertise in naval warfare, leadership, and administration has earned him national and international recognition.
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