New Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa
President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, removed all Service Chiefs and replaced them with new ones, with Major General Christopher Gwabin Musa replacing General Lucky Irabor as Chief of Defence Staff.
See the profile of the new Chief of Defence Staff below:
1. Name: Christopher Gwabin Musa.
2. Date/Place of Birth: 25 Dec 1967 – Sokoto.
3. State of Origin/LGA: Kaduna State/Zangon Kataf.
4. Corps: Infantry.
5. Member of the 38th Infantry Course Nigerian Defence Army.
6. Commissioned on 21 September 1991.
CIVIL EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
a. Marafa Danbaba Primary School Sokoto – 1974 – 1978.
b. Model Primary School Dorowa Road Sokoto – 1978 – 1980.
c. Vocational Training Centre Gaummi, Sokoto – 1980 – 1981.
d. Federal Government College Sokoto – 1981 – 1985.
e. College of Advanced Studies, Zaria – 1985 – 1986.
f. BSc Hons-(Chn) – Nigerian Defence Academy – 1986 – 1990.
g. Advanced Diploma in Security Management –University of Lagos
– 2007 – 2008.
h. MSc (Mil Science) International College of Defence Studies-National Defence
University Changing – Beijing China – 2012 – 2013.
Military/Civil Courses
a. Nigerian Defence Academy as member of the 38th RC- 21 Sep 1991.
b. Mechanical Transportation Officers Course – 1992.
c. Young Officers Course (Infantry) – 1993.
Regimental Signal Officers Course – 1998.
e. Junior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
– 2000.
f. Senior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
– 2004 – 2005.
g. Advance Diploma in Defence and Strategies Course (China) – International
College of Defense Studies National Defense University (ICDS-NDU) – ChangPing
China – 2013.
h. MSc (Military Science) – ICDS-BDU (China) – 2013.
i. National Dfence College at ICDS (China) – 2013.
j. Combined Joint Land Component Commander’s Course on Leadership at the
US Army War College. – 2017.
APPOINTMENTS HELD
a. Platoon Commander at 192 Bn – 1991.
b. Intelligence Officer at 192 Bn – 1993 – 1994.
c. Administrative Officer at 2 Div Camp (Garrison) – 1995 – 1999.
d. Pioneer Adjutant 195 Bn – 2000.
e. Operations Officer – NIBATT 8 UNAMSIL – 2001 – 2002.
f. 195 Bn 2ic – 2002 – 2003.
g. 149 Bn 2ic – 2005 – 2006.
h. General Staff Officer 1 Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division 2006 – 2007.
i. Commanding Officer 73 Bn – 2007 – 2009.
j. Assistant Director Operational Requirement at Department of Army Policy and
Plans – 2009 – 2011.
k. Infantry Representative/Member Training Team at HQ Nigerian Army Armour
Corps – 2011 – 2012.
l. Deputy Chief of Staff Training/Operations at HQ Infantry Centre and Corp
– 2013 – 2014.
m. Chief of Staff at HQ 2 Division – 2014 – 2015.
n. Commandant Depot Nigerian Army – 2015 – 2017.
o. Principal Staff Officer (Combat Arms) at Army HQ Department of Projects and
Programmes – 2017.
p. Pioneer Executive Director Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Ltd
– 2017
q. Commander 82 Division Task Force Brigade OP LAST HOLD in the North East
– 2018.
r. Commander Sector 3 OP LAFIYA DOLE – 2019.
s. Comd Sect 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Tchad Region
– 2019.
t. Chief of General Duties TRADOC – 2019 – 2020.
u. Director Campaign Planning AHQ DATOPs – 2020.
v. Director Training AHQ-DATOPs – 2020.
w. Senior Research Fellow, Nigerian Army Research Centre
– 2021.
x. Theatre Comd JTF (NE) Op HADIN KAI – 2021 till date.
OPERATIONS ATTENDED
a. OP MESA.
b. OP SECOND HEAVEN.
c. OP FOCUS RELIEF, (Joint Training/Ops with the US Troops)
– 2000.
d. United Nation Mission in Sierra Leone – 2001 – 200.
e. OP HAKURI – 2002 – 2003.
f. OP SAFE CONDUCT – 2007.
g. OP RESTORE HOPE – 2007 – 2008.
h. OP SAFE CONDUCT – 2015.
i. OP AYAM APATUMEH – 2018.
j. OP LAST HOLD – 2018.
k. OP LAFIYA DOLE – 2019.
l. Multi-National Joint Task Force Lake Tchad – 2019.
m. OP KANTANA JIMLAM – 2020.
n. JTF (NE) Op HADIN KAI – 2021 till date.
HONOURS/AWARDS
a. BSc Hons (Chn) NDA – 1990.
b. UNAMSIL Medal – 2002.
c. Passed Staff Course (psc) – 2004 – 2005.
d. Forces Service Star – 2003.
e. Meritorious Service Star – 2009.
f. Distinguished Service Star – 2015.
g. Member Nigerian Institute of Management – 2008.
h. Advance Diploma in Security Management at Unilag – 2008.
i. Member Nigerian Institute of Industrial Security – 2008.
j General Operation Medal – 2009.
k. Command Medal (CO 73 Bn) – 2009.
l. Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award – 2009.
m. Silver Jubilee Medal – 2010.
n. Meritorious Service – 2012.
o. Fellow-NDU (ICDS-NDU)-ChangPing China – 2013.
p. Masters in Military Science at the ICDS-NDU China – 2013.
q. Diploma in Defense and Strategy ICDS-NDU Chin – 2013.
r. Centenary Medal – 2014.
s. Distinguished Service Star – 2016.
t. Training Support Medal – 2017.
u. OP LAST HOLD Medal – 2018.
v. OP LAFIYA DOLE Medal – 2019.
w. MNJTF Medal – 2021.
x. Grand Service Star (GSS) – 21 Sep 21.
y. Field Commander Medal of Honour (FCMH) – Jun 21 – till date.
z. Operation HADIN KAI Medal (OPHK) – Jun 21 – till date.
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New Chief Of Army Staff, Abiodun Lagbaja
Major General Lagbaja replaces Lt-Gen Faruk Yahaya, who was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.
Early Life
a. Born in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, Osun State on 28 February 1968.
b. Attended Local Authority Teachers College Demonstration School Osogbo between 1973 – 1979.
c. Attended St Charles Grammar School, Osogbo from 1979 – 1984.
d. Attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan from 1984 to 1986 and obtained West African School Certificate (Advanced Level).
e. Admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy on 12 September 1987 as a member of 39th Regular Course.
f. Commissioned as 2Lt on 19 September 1992 into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.
Courses Attended
a. Company Amphibious Operations Course – Amphibious Training School (May – June 1993). – C.
b. Young Officers’ Course (Infantry) – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (September – December 1993). – C+
c. Basic Airborne Course – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (March – April 1995). – Not Graded
d. Advanced Airborne Course – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (November – December 1995). – Not Graded
e. Amphibious Staff Operations Course – Amphibious Training School (September – December 1997). – C
f. Company Commanders’ Course – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (February – May 2003). – C+
g. Battalion Commanders’ Course – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (September – December 2009). – B
h. Junior Staff Course – Armed Forces Command and Staff (May – December 2000). – C+
i. Senior Staff Course – Armed Forces Command and Staff (August 2005 – July 2006). – C+
j. Military Observers Course – Peacekeeping Wing Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (February – May 2008). – B
k. ECOWAS Standby Force Battalion Command Post Course – Peacekeeping Centre, Bamako, Mali – (June – August 2010). – Not Graded
l. Strategy and Leadership Course – US Army War College (April 2003 – June 2014). – Not Graded
Command/Staff/Instructional Appointments
a. 93 Battalion – 1992 – 1995 as a Platoon commander.
b. 72 Special Forces Battalion – 1995 – 2001 as a Platoon commander.
c. Nigerian Defence Academy – 2001 – 2004 as an Instructor.
d. Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations – 2004 – Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of peacekeeping.
e. Armed Forces Command and Staff College – July 2005 – February 2006 – Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of training.
f. Armed Forces Command and Staff College – 2006 – 2009 – Directing Staff.
g. Headquarters 81 Division – 2009 – 2012 – Deputy Chief of Staff G1 (Administration).
h. 72 Special Forces Battalion Makurdi – 2012 – 2013 and 2014 – 2015 –Commanding Officer.
i. Headquarters 8 Task Force Division Monguno – 2016 – 2017 – Chief of Staff.
j. Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations – January – December 2018 – Acting Director of Operations.
k. Headquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja, Lagos State – December 2018 – April 2019 – Commander.
l. Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State – April 2019 – January 2020 – Commander.
m. Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations – January 2020 – March 2021 – Director Force Generation.
n. Headquarters 82 Division – March 2021 – August 2022 – General Officer Commanding.
o. Headquarters 1 Division – August 2022 – Date – General Officer Commanding.
Promotion History
a. Second Lieutenant – 12 September 1987.
b. Lieutenant – 12 September 1991.
c. Captain – 12 September 1995.
d. Major – 12 September 2000.
e. Lieutenant Colonel – 12 September 2005.
f. Colonel – 12 September 2010.
g. Brigadier General – 12 September 2015.
h. Major General – 12 September 2019.
Honours/Awards
a. Forces Service Star.
b. Meritorious Service Star.
c. Distinguished Service Star.
d. Passed Staff Course (+).
e. Fellows United States Army War College.
f. Command Medal.
g. Field Command Medal.
h. Field Command Medal of Honour.
i. General Operations Medal.
j. Operation Harmony Medal.
k. United Nations Peacekeeping Operation Medal.
l. Operation LAFIYA DOLE Medal.
Academic Qualifications
a. Bsc Geography – Nigerian Defence Academy (2001).
b. Msc Strategic Studies – US Army War College (2014).
Operations Participated
a. Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi Peninsula – January 1996 – June 2000.
b. United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) – 2004 – 2005.
c. Operation ZAKI – September 2012 – April 2013/July 2014 – December 2015 – Internal Security Operation in Benue State.
d. Operation LAFIYA DOLE – December 2015 – January 2018.
e. Operation MESA/Operation UDO KA – March 2021 – August 2022 – Internal Security Operation in South East Zone Nigeria (Anambra/Abia/Ebonyi/Enugu and Imo States).
f. Operation FOREST SANITY – Aug 2022 – Date – Internal Security Operation in Kaduna/Niger States.
Marital Status
Happily married to Mrs Mariya Abiodun-Lagbaja and the marriage is blessed with two children.
Hobbies
Watching documentary and reading biographies.
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New Chief Of Naval Staff, Ikechukwu Ogalla
Ogalla replaces Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo, who was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021.
See Rear Admiral Ogalla’s profile below:
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.
He is a member of the 39 RC NDA, graduated with a BSc in Mathematics and was awarded Sword of Honour as the best naval cadet in his course.
He 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.
He 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.
His hobbies include jugging, reading, listening and researching about science and nature.
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Nigeria’s New Air Chief, Bala Abubakar
He replaces Air Vice Marshal Ishiaka Amao, who was appointed as the former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.
Background
Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar was born on 11 September 1970. He hails from Shanono Local Government Area in Kano State. He enlisted into the NAF as a member of NDA RC 39 and commissioned Pilot Offr on September 19, 1992.
COURSES ATTENDED AND QUALIFICATIONS
The Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command has attended several courses. Some of these include:
Bachelor of Science Degree from the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna.
Ab initio and Basic Flying Training Courses at the 301 Flying Training School Kaduna.
Basic and Advance Airborne Courses at Nigerian Army Infantry Center and School Jaji.
Company Amphibious Operations Course at Nigerian Army Infantry Center and School in Calabar.
Junior and Senior Command and Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji and
National Defence Course at the Nasser Higher Military Academy, Cairo – Egypt.
Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from ABU Zaria.
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS
The very senior officer has held several appointments, some of which are:
Admin Officer 16 Engineering Wing, 1 Engineering Group NAF Makurdi.
Officer Commanding Admin Services Flight/ Group Public Relations Officer, 97 Special Operations Group NAF Port Harcourt.
Officer Commanding Yellow Squadron – Air Force Military School Jos.
Admin Officer Primary Flying Training Wing – 301 FTS NAF Kaduna.
SO1 Admin 301 FTS NAF Kaduna.
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.
Operations Officer Operational Conversion Unit 88 Military Airlift group Nigerian air Force Lagos.
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 – 011Presidential Air Fleet.
Commander 011 Presidential Air Fleet.
Chief of Staff, Mobility Command.
Director of Policy, HQ NAF and lastly
Director of Operations, HQ NAF
Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command.
Currently the Chief of Standards and Operations, HQ NAF.
AWARDS/DECORATIONS
The senior officer has earned several awards and decorations, some of these include:
Distinguished Service Star.
Passed Staff Course (psc)
Fellow Defence College
Masters in International Affairs.
Member National Institute of Management.
Member Chartered Institute of Public Management.
Member Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals.
MARITAL STATUS AND HOBBIES
Air Vice Marshal HB Abubakar is happily married with children and in his leisure time, the senior officer enjoys flying airplanes, reading, reflecting and keeping fit.
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New IGP, Kayode Egbetokun
Egbetokun replaces Usman Baba, who was appointed as the Inspector General of Police by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.
Born on 4th September, 1964 from the Egbado South Local Government Area of Ogun State, Egetokun enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet ASP (Course 16) on March 3, 1990.
He possesses the following:
Bsc ( ED ) ( Hons ) Mathematics – University of Lagos
Msc Engineering Analysis – University of Lagos
Certification in Electronic Data Processing and Computer Programming, all from University of Lagos
Masters in Business Administration from the Lagos State University
PGD Petroleum Economic from Delta State University
PhD Peace and Security Studies from Al-hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State
COURSES / CONFERENCES ATTENDED INCLUDE:
Close Protection Course in United Kingdom
Squadron Commander , Combat Ops Course at PMF Training College (Desert Camp Gwoza and Forest Camp lla)
Advanced Detective Course, Police Staff College, Jos
Intermediate Command Course, Police Staff College Jos
Strategic Leadership Course, Police Staff College Jos
He attended the Global Conference on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats held in Lyon France in 2018
He is a Member Society for Peace and Security Practice and a Scholar in Peace and Security Studies.
He has worked in various commands, formations and departments of the police including:
Chief Security Officer to Governor of Lagos State from 1999-2005
Commander RRS Lagos State Command 2005-2007
O/C Anti – Fraud , FCT Command Abuja
CSP Admin, Lagos State Command
Area Commander Osogbo – Osun State
Area Commander Gusau – Zamfara State
Commandant Police Training School ( PTS ) Ikeja Lagos State
Deputy Commandant Police College Ikeja Lagos State
Commissioner of Police Servicom Force Headquarters Abuja
Commissioner of Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal ( EOD ) FHQ
Commissioner of Police Kwara State Command
Commissioner of Police Admin Medical Faloma Lagos State
AIG Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja
DIG Force Criminal Investigations Department, FHQ, Abuja
CURRENT POSTING – Ag. Inspector-General of Police
HOBBIES:
He loves reading , plays Table Tennis and recreational football
He follows Chelsea in English Premier League and European Champions League
MARITAL STATUS: Happily married with Children