Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd) has been appointed as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state. His appointment, announced on Tuesday March 18, 2025, came after the suspension of the governor, deputy governor, and all elected members of the state’s House of Assembly.
Early Life and Education
Ibas was born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State. He began his education at Nko Primary School before completing it at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971. He proceeded to Hope Waddell Training Institute from 1972 to 1976 and later attended the School of Basic Studies in Ogoja between 1977 and 1979. His military journey began when he enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 26 Regular Course on June 20, 1979. He was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in the Nigerian Navy on January 1, 1983, marking the start of a distinguished career.
Military Training and Specialization
Vice Admiral Ibas underwent extensive military training in Nigeria and abroad, specializing in naval warfare, amphibious operations, and underwater security. His early training included the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy in India from April 1983 to May 1984, where he was exposed to ship handling, navigation, and basic naval engineering.
In April 1986, he attended the Primary Pilot Training Course at the 301 Primary Flying Training School at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna, which he completed in October 1987. Although primarily a naval officer, this training broadened his operational understanding of aviation support in maritime security.
In January 1990, Ibas proceeded to the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, where he completed the Junior Staff Course in June of the same year. His training continued in July 1992 when he enrolled at the Amphibious Warfare School of the United States Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, graduating in May 1993 with a diploma in amphibious warfare. This training prepared him for roles in amphibious and riverine military operations, a critical skill set for Nigeria’s maritime security challenges.
Upon returning to Nigeria, he specialized in underwater warfare, commencing the Officers’ Long Course at the Nigerian Navy’s Underwater Warfare School, NNS Quorra, in February 1994 and completing it in February 1995. This specialization made him one of the leading Nigerian naval officers in anti-submarine warfare, underwater defense systems, and mine countermeasures.
From August 1996 to July 1997, he furthered his education by completing the Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, where he graduated with excellent grades. In 2005, he was selected for Nigeria’s highest-level military education at the National Defence College, Islamabad, Pakistan, attending from August 2005 to June 2006. During his time in Pakistan, he earned a master’s degree in defence and strategic studies from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.
Naval Career and Leadership Roles
Ibas served in various operational and administrative capacities throughout his naval career, steadily rising through the ranks with significant command and staff appointments.
As a young officer, he gained hands-on experience aboard several Nigerian Navy ships, including NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma, and NNS Aradu, where he served as a watchkeeping officer. He later became the executive officer on NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe between July 1993 and August 1996. These early roles helped him develop expertise in ship command, fleet operations, and naval strategy.
His first independent command came in 1997 when he was appointed Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School, a role he held until September 1998. This was followed by his appointment as the Commanding Officer of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, one of Nigeria’s strategic naval bases in the Gulf of Guinea, from September 1998 to June 2000.
Ibas was later selected as a Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, from June 2000 to June 2002, where he played a key role in training mid-level officers in naval tactics, strategy, and joint military operations. His expertise saw him return to the college in January 2009 as the Director of the Department of Maritime Warfare, and he later became the Deputy Commandant in January 2014, a position he held until February of the same year.
Beyond instructional roles, Ibas also held key administrative positions in the Nigerian Navy. He was appointed Naval Provost Marshal from April 2003 to June 2004, responsible for enforcing discipline and military law within the naval ranks. He then served as the Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Naval Staff from June 2004 to July 2005, handling sensitive naval operations and policy implementation.
In December 2006, he was appointed Commander, Naval Air Base, Ojo, overseeing naval aviation operations. His leadership in aviation logistics and operations later led to his appointment as Chief Staff Officer at the Naval Training Command, Lagos, in September 2010.
His administrative and operational expertise led to his appointment as Chief of Administration at the Naval Headquarters from March 2011 to February 2012 and later as Navy Secretary from February 2012 to January 2013. During this period, he was instrumental in shaping naval policies, officer promotions, and personnel management.
From January 2013 to January 2014, he served as the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Lagos, overseeing Nigeria’s largest naval fleet. In February 2014, he was appointed Chief of Logistics, responsible for managing naval assets, procurement, and fleet maintenance. Later that year, he was appointed Group Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited, a position he held until he became the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff in July 2015.
Chief of Naval Staff and Maritime Security Reforms
Appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, Ibas led major naval reforms during his tenure as Chief of Naval Staff. He prioritized maritime security, leading operations against piracy, illegal oil bunkering, and maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea. Under his leadership, the Nigerian Navy expanded its surveillance network, acquired new offshore patrol vessels, and strengthened international naval cooperation.
His tenure saw increased investment in indigenous shipbuilding, with the commissioning of new warships and patrol boats built in Nigeria. He also implemented improved welfare programs for naval personnel and enhanced naval aviation capabilities.
Ibas retired in 2021 after serving for six years as Nigeria’s top naval officer, leaving behind a legacy of modernization and strategic transformation within the Nigerian Navy.
Diplomatic Career as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana
After retirement, Ibas was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana, where he played a key role in enhancing diplomatic and security cooperation between the two West African nations. His tenure focused on strengthening trade relations and resolving border security challenges.
Personal Life and Legacy
Vice Admiral Ibas is married to Theresa Ibas, and they have three children.
