Nigeria’s new Service Chiefs appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are; Major General Christopher Musa-Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja-Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla-Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar-Chief of Air Staff; DIG Kayode Egbetokun, Acting Inspector-General of Police, Major General EPA Undiandeye-Chief of Defence Intelligence and Nuhu Ribadu-National Security Adviser.
READ ALSO: President Tinubu appoints new Service Chiefs, others
Biography
New Chief Of Defence Staff – Major General Christopher Musa
Major General Christopher Gwabin Musa hails from Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna state, North West Nigeria. He was born on 25 December 1967 in Sokoto State.
Educational Background
Major General Christopher Musa went to Marafa Danbaba Primary School Sokoto from 1974 – 1978, attended Model Primary School Dorowa Road Sokoto – 1978 – 1980 before joining a Vocational Training Centre Gaummi, Sokoto – 1980 – 1981.
He later enrolled into the Federal Government College Sokoto – 1981 – 1985 and later the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria – 1985 – 1986.
He obtained a Bachelor of Science Hons at the Nigerian Defence Academy between 1986 – 1990 and an Advanced Diploma in Security Management –University of Lagos from 2007 – 2008.
General Musa obtained Masters of Science (Mil Science) at the International College of Defence Studies at the National Defence University Changing – Beijing China from 2012 – 2013. He went to the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 38th Regular Course 21 in September 1991. He also did a Mechanical Transportation Officers Course in 1992.
General CG Musa went through Young Officers Course in Infantry in 1993, Regimental Signal Officers Course – 1998 and Junior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji – in 2000.
He went for Senior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji – 2004 – 2005 before going on to earn an Advanced Diploma in Defence and Strategies Course (China) at the International College of Defense Studies, National Defense University (ICDS-NDU) – ChangPing China – 2013, MSc (Military Science) – ICDS-BDU (China) – 2013 and National Defence College at ICDS (China) – 2013.
General Musa also did a Combined Joint Land Component Commander’s Course on Leadership at the US Army War College in 2017.
Appointments Held
He was Platoon Commander at 192 Battalion in 1991, Intelligence Officer at 192 Battalion in 1993 – 1994, Administrative Officer at 2 Division Camp (Garrison) from 1995 – 1999. He was the Pioneer Adjutant 195 B – 2000, an Operations Officer – NIBATT 8 UNAMSIL – 2001 – 2002, 195 Battalion 2ic 2002 – 2003, 149 Battalion 2ic 2005 – 2006, General Staff Officer 1 Training/Operations at Headquarters 81 Division 2006 – 2007, Commanding Officer 73 Battalion 2007 – 2009, Assistant Director Operational Requirement at Department of Army Policy and Plans – 2009 – 2011.
General Musa was Infantry Representative/Member Training Team at HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps – 2011 – 2012, Deputy Chief of Staff Training/Operations at HQ Infantry Centre and Corp – 2013 – 2014, Chief of Staff at HQ 2 Division – 2014 – 2015. He also held the position of the Commandant Depot Nigerian Army – 2015 – 2017, Principal Staff Officer (Combat Arms) at Army HQ Department of Projects and Programmes – 2017, Pioneer Executive Director Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Ltd – 2017, Commander 82 Division Task Force Brigade OPERATION LAST HOLD in the North East in 2018 and Commander Sector 3 OP LAFIYA DOLE – 2019.
He was also Commander of Sect 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Tchad Region – 2019, Chief of General Duties TRADOC – 2019 – 2020, Director of Campaign Planning AHQ DATOPs – 2020, Director Training AHQ-DATOPs – 2020, Senior Research Fellow, Nigerian Army Research Centre – 2021 and Theatre Commander Joint Task Force (NE) Op HADIN KAI from 2021 to early 2023.
Operations Attended
Operation MESA, OP SECOND HEAVEN, OP FOCUS RELIEF, (Joint Training/Ops with the US Troops) 2000, United Nation Mission in Sierra Leone – 2001 – 2002, OP HAKURI 2002 – 2003, OP SAFE CONDUCT – 2007, OP RESTORE HOPE 2007 – 2008, OP SAFE CONDUCT – 2015, OP AYAM APATUMEH 2018, OP LAST HOLD 2018, OP LAFIYA DOLE 2019, Multi-National Joint Task Force Lake Tchad 2019, OP KANTANA JIMLAM 2020, JTF (NE) Op HADIN KAI – 2021-2023.
HONOURS/AWARDS
BSc Hons (Chn) NDA – 1990, UNAMSIL Medal – 2002, Passed Staff Course (psc) 2004 – 2005, Forces Service Star 2003. Meritorious Service Star – 2009, Distinguished Service Star – 2015, Member Nigerian Institute of Management – 2008, Advance Diploma in Security Management at Unilag – 2008.
Member Nigerian Institute of Industrial Security – 2008, General Operation Medal – 2009, Command Medal (CO 73 Bn) – 2009, Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award – 2009, Silver Jubilee Medal – 2010, Meritorious Service 2012, Fellow-NDU (ICDS-NDU)-ChangPing China – 2013, Masters in Military Science at the ICDS-NDU China – 2013, Diploma in Defense and Strategy ICDS-NDU Chin – 2013, Centenary Medal – 2014, Distinguished Service Star – 2016, Training Support Medal – 2017, OP LAST HOLD Medal – 2018.
Others are OP LAFIYA DOLE Medal – 2019, MNJTF Medal – 2021, Grand Service Star (GSS) – 21 Sep 21, Field Commander Medal of Honour (FCMH) – Jun 21 – 2023, Operation HADIN KAI Medal (OPHK) – Jun 21 – 2023, Fellow Disaster Management and Safety Science (FDMSS) – Sep 22 12.
General Christopher Musa is married to Mrs. Lilian Oghogho Musa and blessed with 4 children Kuyet, Yashim, Bobai and Ndih.
His Hobbies are majorly Service to humanity.
New Chief of Army Staff – Major General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja
Lagbaja was born in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, Osun State on 28 February 1968.
He attended Local Authority Teachers College Demonstration School Osogbo between 1973 – 1979.
He attended St Charles Grammar School, Osogbo from 1979 – 1984 and also attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan from 1984 to 1986 and obtained West African School Certificate (Advanced Level).
He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy on 12 September 1987 as a member of 39th Regular Course.
Lagbaja was commissioned as 2Lt on 19 September 1992 into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.
Academic Qualifications
- BSc Geography – Nigerian Defence Academy (2001).
- MSc Strategic Studies – US Army War College (2014).
Operations Participated
- Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi Peninsula – January 1996 – June 2000.
- United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) – 2004 – 2005.
- Operation ZAKI – September 2012 – April 2013/July 2014 – December 2015 – Internal Security Operation in Benue State.
- Operation LAFIYA DOLE – December 2015 – January 2018.
- Operation MESA/Operation UDO KA – March 2021 – August 2022 – Internal Security Operation in South East Zone Nigeria (Anambra/Abia/Ebonyi/Enugu and Imo States).
- Operation FOREST SANITY – Aug 2022 – Date – Internal Security Operation in Kaduna/Niger States.
His hobbies are watching documentaries and reading biographies.
New Chief Of Air Staff Air – Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar
Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar was born on 11 September 1970.
He hails from Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State.
He enlisted into the NAF as a member of NDA RC 39 and commissioned Pilot Offr on 19 Sep 92.
Abubakar bagged a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Nigerian Defence, Academy Kaduna.
He holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from ABU, Zaria.
He was Admin Officer 16 Engineering Wing, 1 Engineering Group NAF Makurdi.
He also held the position of Officer Commanding Admin Services Flight/ Group Public Relations Officer, 97 Special Operations Group NAF Port Harcourt.
Abubakar was appointed Officer Commanding Yellow Squadron – Air Force Military School Jos and Admin Officer Primary Flying Training Wing – 301 FTS NAF Kaduna, as well as SO1 Admin 301 FTS NAF Kaduna.
He was also Officer, Commanding ‘B’ Squadron (Do 228) – 81 Air Maritime Group NAF Benin; Team Leader MILOB Team Site 615 Mahagi (Ituri Brigade) MONUC; Aviation Planning Officer, MONUC Air Operations Kinshasa, DRC; Commanding Officer Base Services Wing 81 Air Maritime Group Nigerian Air force Benin and Operations Officer, Operational Conversion Unit 88 Military Airlift group Nigerian air Force Lagos.
He was also Operations Officer, 88 Military Airlift Group, Ikeja, Lagos; Commanding Officer, 21 Wing 88, Military Airlift Group Lagos; Group Safety Officer 88 Military Airlift Group Ikeja, Lagos; Fleet operation officer, 011, Presidential Air Fleet; Commander 011 Presidential Air Fleet, Chief of Staff, Mobility Command; Director of Policy, HQ NAF and Director of Operations, HQ NAF; Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command and the Chief of Standards and Operations, HQ NAF.
Abubakar is happily married with children and in his leisure time, the senior officer enjoys flying airplanes, reading, reflecting and keeping fit.
DIG Kayode Egbetokun, Acting Inspector-General of Police
Born on September 4, 1964 in Ogun State, he is a graduate of Mathematics from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Egbetokun lectured Mathematics briefly at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, before his enlistment into the police.
His other academic qualifications include MSC Engineering Analysis (UNILAG), also from the University of Lagos, Akoka, 1996; Post-Graduate Diploma in Petroleum Economics from Delta State University, Abraka, 2000; and an MBA from Lagos State University, Ojo, 2004.
Egbetokun enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on March 3, 1990, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.
In 1999, he was appointed Chief Security Officer to Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu.
He served as the Commander, Rapid Response Squad, Lagos; Squadron Commander, Mopol 5, Benin, Benin City; Officer-in-Charge, Anti-Fraud Unit, FCT Command, Abuja; Chief Superintendent of Police, Administration, Lagos State Command Head Quarters, Ikeja; Area Commander, Osogbo, Osun State Command; and Area Commander, Gusau, Zamfara State Command, amongst others.
He was promoted Commissioner of Police on 29 September, 2020 and was deployed to Kwara State; Assistant Inspector General of Police in September 2022, and deployed to Zone 7 (Abuja) and Deputy Inspector General of Police on March 29, 2023 and deployed to the FCID.
New Chief of Naval Staff – Rear Admiral A. Emmanuel Ogalla
Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla was born on December 20, 1968 in Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.
He obtained the West African School Certificate from the NMS Zaria in June, 1987 where he graduated as the ‘Best Boy’ in Sciences.
The New Chief of Naval Staff is a member of the 39 RC NDA, graduated with a BSc in Mathematics, was awarded Sword of Honour as the best naval cadet in his course and was commissioned S Lt on September 16, 1992 and rose to the rank of R Adm wef on September 16, 21.
He completed the STC NNS QUORRA, Basic Hydrography National Hydrographic School India in May 2000, Junior and Senior Staff Courses AFCSC Jaji in Nov 01 and Jul 06 respectively. He was a participant of NDC Course 22 and was awarded fdc in Aug 14.
As part of the Course, he took part in the MSc Strategic Studies programme, University of Ibadan from 2014 to 2015.
The senior officer served on board many ships including NNS AMBE, ARADU, LANA, EKUN, AGU, QUORRA, BEECROFT, DELTA and PATHFINDER.
While on board NNS EKUN, he took part in the ECOMOG Operations in Liberia in 1996. Also as the Base operations officer in NNS PATHFINDER, he was responsible for coordinating anti illegal bunkering operations as well the entire policing duties of the base.
During the period there was a remarkable reduction in illegal activities in the maritime area within the base area of operations.
The senior officer also served as Instructor, CI and Comdt NNHS, SO 1 Survey and DD Instruments NNHO, ADCP, DD Hydro and DPR NHQ, as well as DS/ DARAS NDC and D Audit NASS NHQ. He is currently the DLL NHQ.
During his cumulative 6-year tour of duty in NNHS, he taught geodesy, datum conversion, tidal predictions and analysis, satellite surveying, bathymetry, among others.
As Comdt, he linked the School with Teledyn Marines, a reputable OEM in the US, which enabled the NN to procure several survey equipment from the company, leading to improvements in practical training.
He was also instrumental to the review of the School’s curriculum to align with IHO requirements. During his tour of duty in the NNHO, the senior officer was instrumental to the localisation of tidal prediction and analysis.
The New Chief of Naval Staff participated in the FAO sponsored Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem survey in 2004 and provided professional inputs during the survey and production of the NNHO charts.
During his tour of duty at the NDC, he contributed towards the improvement of the College research package and also led the 2018 participants research study tour to China and South Korea.
As DLL he was responsible for collating and analysing previous NN Operations and activities with the objective of drawing lessons necessary for doctrinal and operational improvements.
The Senior officer is decorated with FSS, MSS, DSS and GSS. He is a member of the Nigerian Hydrographic Society, Nigerian Institute of Management, the International Earth Rotation Services and also a fellow of the Occupational Safety and Health Association of the UK.
He is married to Mrs Ijeoma Ogalla and the marriage is blessed with two children.
The New Chief of Naval Staff hobbies include jugging, reading, listening and researching about science and nature.
New National Security Adviser – Nuhu Ribadu
Nuhu Ribadu, was born in Yola, Adamawa State, on 21 November, 1960.
He attended Aliyu Mustapha Primary School, Yola from 1966 to 1973 and Yelwa Government Secondary School, Yola from 1973-1977. Between 1978 and 1980, Mr Ribadu was at the College of Preliminary Studies, CPS, Yola, for his A-level studies.
In 1980, he gained admission to study law at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating in 1983. He graduated from the Nigerian Law School and was called to the bar in 1984. He joined the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) immediately after his national youth service.
Mr Ribadu holds an LLM degree with emphasis on the jurisprudence of corruption in Nigeria from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. In 2008, he was at the Harvard Business School where he did a programme on the strategic management of law enforcement agencies.
A trained lawyer and fearless crime fighter, Mr Ribadu is the pioneer Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the government commission tasked with countering corruption and fraud which he literally transformed into one of the most effective and renowned anti-graft agencies in modern history.
He courageously brought to book hundreds of fraudsters, scores of high profile looters and economic saboteurs in spite of temptation, booby traps and threats to life.
Mr Ribadu is a recipient of several awards as a police officer, prosecutor and chairman of the EFCC.
The new National Security Adviser received the Inspector General of Police Awards in 1997, 1998 and 2000, and the Special Commendation of the President in 2005, for the successful prosecution of several advanced fee fraud cases, banking fraud and sundry economic crimes.
He was also specially commended by the Accountant General of the Federation for successfully prosecuting some corrupt public servants in 1999.
New Chief Of Defence Intelligence – Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye
Mr Undiandeye hails from Bedia in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.
He was, until his appointment, the Commandant of the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, Kaduna State. Mr Undiandeye was a member of the Troop Contributing Countries Working Group for developing the second edition of the United Nations Infantry Battalion Manual (UNIBAM) published in 2020 by the UN Office of military affairs. He is of the Intelligence Corps of the Nigerian Army.
As the Chief of Defense Intelligence, Undiandeye will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating intelligence activities across various branches of the Nigerian armed forces.
His primary focus will be to enhance the intelligence capabilities of the defence sector, strengthen information-gathering networks, and provide critical insights to support military operations
PIAK
