Strength, Strategy, Service: The Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas Story – Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas: A Legacy of Naval Excellence
Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR psc+ GSS AM ndc MSc (born 27 September 1960) is a retired Vice Admiral of the Nigerian Navy who served as the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) from 2015 to 2021.
Background and Education
Ibas was born in Nko, Cross River State, South-South Nigeria. He entered the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 26 Regular Course on June 20, 1979, and was subsequently commissioned as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983. His primary education began at Nko Primary School in 1966 and concluded at Big Qua Primary School in Calabar in 1971. He attended the Hope Waddell Training Institute in Calabar from 1972 to 1976. From 1977 to 1979, he pursued studies at the School of Basic Studies in Ogoja before continuing his education at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1979.
Military Courses Attended and Qualifications
Vice Admiral Ibas has engaged in a multitude of military training programs both within his home country and internationally. He commenced his professional development with the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy in India, which he attended from April 1983 to May 1984. Subsequently, he completed Primary Pilot Training at the 301 Primary Flying Training School, located at the Nigerian Airforce Base in Kaduna, from April 1986 to October 1987. In January 1990, Vice Admiral Ibas was enrolled in the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna, where he successfully finished the Junior Staff Course in June of that year. In July 1992, he attended the Amphibious Warfare School of the United States Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, from which he graduated with a diploma in amphibious warfare in May 1993. He then began the Officers’ Long Course, specializing in underwater warfare, at the Underwater Warfare School, NNS Quorra, in February 1994, completing his training in February 1995. Between August 1996 and July 1997, he returned to the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji to undertake the Senior Staff Course, where he achieved outstanding results. Additionally, Ibas is an alumnus of the National Defence College in Islamabad, Pakistan, having participated in the National Defence Course from August 2005 to June 2006. He also possesses a master’s degree in defence and strategic studies from Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Career
Vice Admiral Ibas has held various appointments within the Nigerian Navy. As a midshipman, he served aboard NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma, and NNS Aradu. Following his commissioning as a sub-lieutenant, he served as a watchkeeping officer on NNS Ayam and NNS Ekpe. He later advanced to executive officer roles on NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe between July 1993 and August 1996 as a lieutenant commander. He commanded the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School from August 1997 to September 1998 and led the Forward Operating Base Ibaka from September 1998 to June 2000. Due to his exemplary performance in the Senior Staff Course, he was appointed as a directing staff member at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, from June 2000 to June 2002. He returned to the college in January 2009 as the director of the Department of Maritime Warfare, a position he held until November 2010. He later served as deputy commandant from January to February 2014.
From April 2003 to June 2004, Ibas served as the naval provost marshal, followed by his role as the principal staff officer to the then Chief of Naval Staff from June 2004 to July 2005. He was the command operations officer at the Headquarters of the Western Naval Command in Lagos from June to December 2006. Subsequently, he served as the commander of the Naval Air Base in Ojo from December 2006 to January 2009. His responsibilities continued as he served as the Headquarters of the Naval Training Command, Lagos’s chief staff officer, from September 2010 to March 2011. Notably, he was appointed to the Naval Headquarters first as the chief of administration from March 2011 to February 2012 and later as Navy Secretary from February 2012 to January 2013. He then became the Western Naval Command’s flag officer from January 2013 to January 2014. Additionally, he assumed the role of chief of logistics in February 2014. He later served as the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited until he was appointed the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff on 13 July 2015.
Awards and Decorations
Throughout his distinguished service in the Nigerian Navy, Ibas has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Silver Jubilee Medal, ECOMOG Medal, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, and General Service Star. He also received the Passed Staff Course (DAGGER) designation and has been recognized as a Fellow of the National Defence College. In October 2022, he was honoured with the Nigerian National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) conferred by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Professional Affiliations
Ibas is a member of several esteemed professional organizations, including the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management. He has also participated in various seminars and exhibitions nationally and internationally.
