Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas Biography: Personal Life
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) was born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, Nigeria. He is married to Theresa Ibas, and they have three children. He enjoys reading, watching documentaries, and playing golf in his leisure time.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas Biography: Education and Military Training
Ibas began his education at Nko Primary School before completing his primary studies at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971. He proceeded to Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar (1972–1976), and later attended the School of Basic Studies, Ogoja, from 1977 to 1979.
In 1979, he joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as part of the 26 Regular Course and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983. He furthered his military training by attending courses both in Nigeria and abroad, including the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course in India (1983–1984) and Primary Pilot Training at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna (1986–1987). He also trained in amphibious warfare at the United States Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia (1992–1993) and specialized in underwater warfare at NNS Quorra (1994–1995).
Ibas attended the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, where he completed both Junior (1990) and Senior Staff Courses (1997). He later graduated from the National Defence College in Islamabad, Pakistan (2006), earning a Master’s degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University.
Naval Career and Key Appointments
Throughout his military career, Vice Admiral Ibas (Rtd) held several significant positions in the Nigerian Navy. As a junior officer, he served on NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma, and NNS Aradu. He later became the executive officer of NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe (1993–1996).
His leadership roles expanded as he commanded the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School (1997–1998) and the Forward Operating Base Ibaka (1998–2000). Due to his outstanding performance, he became a directing staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (2000–2002) and later served as the Director of Maritime Warfare (2009–2010).
Among his other notable appointments, Ibas (Rtd) was the Naval Provost Marshal (2003–2004), Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of the Naval Staff (2004–2005), and Command Operations Officer at the Western Naval Command (2006). He also commanded the Naval Air Base, Ojo (2006–2009) and served as Chief Staff Officer at the Naval Training Command, Lagos (2010–2011).
In 2011, he was appointed Chief of Administration at Naval Headquarters before becoming the Navy Secretary (2012–2013). From 2013 to 2014, he was the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and later Chief of Logistics in 2014.
Chief of the Naval Staff (2015–2021)
On July 13, 2015, Vice Admiral Ibas (Rtd) was appointed as the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff by President Muhammadu Buhari. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in enhancing maritime security, modernizing the Nigerian Navy, and strengthening regional naval cooperation. He served in this capacity until 2021.
Sole Administrator of Rivers State
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibas (Rtd) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
Awards and Recognitions
Vice Admiral Ibas (Rtd) received numerous military honors for his service, including:
- Silver Jubilee Medal
- ECOMOG Medal
- Forces Service Star
- Meritorious Service Star
- Distinguished Service Star
- General Service Star
He was also conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) by President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2022.
Professional Memberships and International Engagements
Ibas is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management. He has attended various leadership seminars and exhibitions worldwide, including:
- 25th International Homeland Security Exhibition (Israel, 2011)
- London International Leadership Course (UK, 2012)
- Capacity Development Course at Harvard Kennedy School (USA, 2013)
Legacy and Impact
Vice Admiral Ibas’ (Rtd) career is marked by dedication to national security, naval modernization, and strategic leadership. His contributions to the Nigerian Navy and his appointment as Sole Administrator of Rivers State highlight his enduring influence in Nigeria’s military and governance.
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from Wikipedia. All details cannot be independently verified by Daily News 24 or its editorial team
