Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas Biography: Meet New Rivers State Administrator

Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas Biography can be accessed below.

Newsone Nigeria had reported earlier that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, south-south Nigeria.

President Tinubu announced in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday evening, March 18, 2025, over the political crisis and instability in the state.

The president said Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the State; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers assembly are “hereby suspended for an initial period of six months”.

“Having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March, 2025 and I so do,” the president said.

A few minutes after the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, he nominated retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, a former chief of naval staff, as the administrator of Rivers State.

This online news platform understands that Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas will be responsible for overseeing the affairs of Rivers State for at least six months. The President said the administrator will manage the state without enacting new laws but may issue regulations subject to federal executive council approval and presidential promulgation.

President Tinubu said the judicial arm of Rivers state remains unaffected and will continue its constitutional duties.

The president said his intervention, published in the federal gazette and shared with the national assembly, seeks to restore peace and order in the troubled state.

“The administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the president for the state,” the president said in a televised broadcast.

“This declaration has been published in the federal gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the constitution.

“It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”

Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas Biography: 10 Things About Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas

1. Former Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS)
Vice Admiral Ibas served as the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, overseeing Nigeria’s naval operations and maritime security efforts.

2. A Distinguished Military Career
He enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1979 as part of the 26 Regular Course and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983. His career spanned four decades in various naval commands.

3. Extensive Military Education and Training
Ibas attended prestigious military institutions worldwide, including the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (Jaji, Nigeria), the National Defence College (Pakistan), and the United States Marine Corps University (Quantico, Virginia).

4. Expertise in Underwater Warfare
He specialized in underwater warfare after completing an advanced course at the Nigerian Navy’s Underwater Warfare School in 1995, which played a crucial role in shaping his naval career.

5. Command Experience in the Nigerian Navy
He held several key leadership roles, including Commander of the Naval Air Base, Ojo, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, and Chief of Logistics at the Naval Headquarters.

6. Experience in Defense Strategy and Policy
He earned a Master’s degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, strengthening his expertise in military strategy and national security policymaking.

7. Appointed Rivers State Administrator in 2025
On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu appointed him as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State to oversee governance following a state of emergency declaration.

8. Recipient of National and Military Honors
Ibas has been awarded numerous accolades, including the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, and Distinguished Service Star.

9. Member of Prestigious Professional Bodies
He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management, among other organizations.

10. Family and Personal Life
He is married to Theresa Ibas, and they have three children. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys various hobbies that complement his disciplined military background.

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas remains a highly respected figure in Nigeria’s military and governance landscape, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to his new role as Rivers State Administrator.

Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas: Educational Background and Naval Training

Ibas began his early education at Nko Primary School before completing it at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971. He proceeded to Hope Waddell Training Institute (1972-1976) and later attended the School of Basic Studies, Ogoja (1977-1979).

His naval journey commenced at the Nigerian Defence Academy on June 20, 1979, as part of the 26th Regular Course, leading to his commission as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983.

His commitment to professional development saw him undergo extensive military training.

Distinguished Naval Career of Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas held numerous key positions in the Nigerian Navy. As a midshipman, he served aboard NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma, and NNS Aradu.

After commissioning as a sub-lieutenant, he was a watchkeeping officer on NNS Ayam and NNS Ekpe. Between 1993 and 1996, he became the executive officer of NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe.

He later commanded the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School (1997–1998) and Forward Operating Base Ibaka (1998–2000). Excelling in the Senior Staff Course, he was appointed as a directing staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (2000–2002) and later served as Director, Maritime Warfare (2009–2010) and Deputy Commandant (2014).

Ibas was the naval provost marshal (2003–2004) and principal staff officer to the Chief of Naval Staff (2004–2005). He served as command operations officer, Western Naval Command (2006) and commander of the Naval Air Base, Ojo (2006–2009). He later became chief staff officer, Naval Training Command (2010–2011), chief of administration, Naval Headquarters (2011–2012), and Navy Secretary (2012–2013).

He commanded the Western Naval Command (2013–2014) before being appointed chief of logistics (2014) and GMD/CEO of Nigerian Navy Holdings (2014). On 13 July 2015, he became the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff.

Diplomatic Role and National Service

Upon retirement from active naval service, Ibas transitioned into diplomacy, serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana from 2021. His appointment underscored his vast experience in security, strategic relations, and international diplomacy.

Personal Life and Interests

Vice Admiral Ibas is married to Barrister Theresa Ibas, and they are blessed with children. Beyond his professional engagements, he enjoys reading, watching documentaries, and playing golf.

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas Controversies

Allegations of Financial Misconduct and Retaliation

The controversy dates back to 1996 during a mission in Liberia under the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG). Captain Owen, serving as the Supply Officer on the Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) AMBE, reportedly discovered that Ibas, then a Lieutenant Commander and second-in-command, had inflated the ship’s personnel list from 45 to 85 to misappropriate allowances. Upon confronting Ibas about this discrepancy, Owen alleges he was detained in a toilet for six days and subsequently faced various forms of victimization, including stalled promotions and unjust postings.

Petitions and Forced Retirement

In an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari dated July 22, 2022, Captain Owen detailed his experiences of alleged victimization spanning over two decades. He claimed that after reporting the fraud in 1996, he faced continuous retaliation, culminating in his compulsory retirement in July 2022. Owen asserted that despite meeting all criteria for promotion, he was repeatedly overlooked on frivolous grounds. He also highlighted instances where he was relieved of his duties without justification and placed on pre-retirement courses prematurely.

Legal Proceedings and Court-Martial

Further escalating the situation, Captain Owen was reportedly summoned to appear before a court-martial in Lagos for allegedly petitioning the president and accusing Ibas of misconduct. His legal representatives argued that the Chief of Naval Staff lacked the authority to convene such a court-martial and that the proceedings were an attempt to silence Owen.

Current Status

As of now, there is no public record of a formal response from Vice Admiral Ibas regarding these allegations. The Nigerian Navy has stated that the matter is being handled administratively, but specific details about any investigations or outcomes have not been disclosed.

This controversy underscores ongoing concerns about internal accountability and transparency within the Nigerian military hierarchy.