₦airaland Forum

NIGERIAN SERVICE CHIEFS LIST SINCE INDEPENDENCE - 1960
Chief of Defence staff and Heads of Army,Navy,Airforce,Police

SOURCE: wikipedia.org



A. CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF

1.Lieutenant General Ipoola Alani Akinrinade
(born 1939)
Tenure: 15 April 1980 to 2 October 1981
1 year, 170 days
Nigerian Army


2.Lieutenant General Gibson Jalo
(1939–2000)"
Tenure: October 1981 to 31 December 1983
2 years, 90 days
Nigerian Army


3.General Domkat Bali
(1940–2020) Defence Minister"
Tenure: 1 January 1984 to August 1990
6 years, 212 days
Nigerian Army


4.General Sani Abacha
(1943–1998) later military ruler"
Tenure: August 1990 to 17 November 1993
3 years, 108 days
Nigerian Army


5.Lieutenant General Oladipo Diya
(1944–2023). Chief of General Staff"
Tenure: 17 November 1993 to 21 December 1997
4 years, 34 days
Nigerian Army


6.Major General Abdulsalami Abubakar
(born 1942) later military ruler"
Tenure: December 1997 to 9 June 1998
170 days
Nigerian Army


7.Air Marshal Al-Amin Daggash
(born 1942)"
Tenure: 9 June 1998 to 29 May 1999
354 days
Nigerian AirForce


8.Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi
(1948–2024)"
Tenure: 29 May 1999 to 27 June 2003
4 years, 29 days
Nigerian Navy


9.General Alexander Ogomudia
(born 1949)"
Tenure: 27 June 2003 to 1 June 2006
2 years, 339 days
Nigerian Army


10.General Martin Luther Agwai
(born 1948)Later Commander of theUNAMID
Tenure: 1 June 2006 to 25 May 2007
358 days
Nigerian Army


11.General Owoye Andrew Azazi
(1952–2012)"
Tenure: 25 May 2007 to 20 August 2008
1 year, 87 days
Nigerian Army


12.Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike
(born 1950)"
Tenure: 20 August 2008 to 8 September 2010
2 years, 19 days
Nigerian AirForce


13.Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin
(born 1955)"
Tenure: 8 September 2010 to 4 October 2012
2 years, 26 days
Nigerian AirForce


14.Admiral Ola Ibrahim
(born 1955)"
Tenure: 4 October 2012 to 20 January 2014
1 year, 108 days
Nigerian Navy


15.Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh
(1957–2018)"
Tenure: 20 January 2014 to 21 July 2015
1 year, 182 days
Nigerian AirForce


16.General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin
(born 1961)"
Tenure: 21 July 2015 to 29 January 2021
5 years, 192 days
Nigerian Army


17.General Lucky Irabor
(born 1965)"
Tenure: 29 January 2021 to 29 May 2023
2 years, 145 days
Nigerian Army


18.General Christopher Gwabin Musa
(born 1967)"
Tenure: June 2023 to 24 October 2025
2 years, 124 days
Nigerian Army


19.Lt. General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede
(born 1968)"
Tenure: 24 October 2025 Incumbent
Nigerian Army






B. CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF

*General officer commanding


1.Major general Kenneth G. Exham"
Tenure: 1956 to 1959
2–3 years


2. Major general Norman Foster"
Tenure: 1959 to 1963
3–4 years


3.Major general John Alexander Mackenzie"
Tenure: 1963 to 1963
0 years


4.Major general Sir ChristopherWelby-Everard
(1909–1996)"
Tenure: 1963 to February 1965
1–2 years


5.Major general Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
(1924–1966) Later military ruler"
Tenure: February 1965 to 15 January 1966
0–1 years


*Chief of Army Staff


1.Lieutenant colonel Yakubu Gowon FSS
(born 1934) Later military ruler"
Tenure: January 1966 to July 1966
6 months


2. Lieutenant colonel Joseph Akahan OFR FSS
(1937–1968)"
Tenure: July 1966 to May 1968
1 year, 9 months


3.Major general Hassan Katsina RCDS, PSC
(1933–1995)"
Tenure: May 1968 to January 1971
2 years, 8 months


4.Major general David Ejoor
(1932–2019)
Tenure: January 1971 to July 1975
4 years, 6 months


5.Lieutenant general Theophilus Danjuma
(born 1938)
Tenure: July 1975 to October 1979
4 years, 3 months


6.Lieutenant general Ipoola Alani Akinrinade CFR FSS
(born 1939) later Chief of Defence Staff
Tenure: October 1979 to April 1980
6months


7.Lieutenant general Gibson Jalo CFR FSS, JSS
(1939–2000) later Chief of Defence Staff
Tenure: April 1980 to October 1981
1 year, 6 months


8.Lieutenant general Inua Wushishi CFR FSS
(1940–2021)"
Tenure: October 1981 to October 1983
2 years


9.Major general Ibrahim Babangida
(born 1941) Later military ruler
Tenure: January 1984 to August 1985
1 year, 7 months


10.Lieutenant general Sani Abacha GCON , DSS, mni
(1943–1998) Later military ruler"
Tenure: August 1985 to August 1990
5 years


11.Lieutenant general Salihu Ibrahim FSS , FHWC
(1935–2018)"
Tenure: August 1990 to September 1993
3 years, 1 month


12.Lieutenant general Aliyu Mohammed Gusau DSS, rcds
(born 1943)"
Tenure: September 1993 to November 1993
2 months


13.Major general Chris Alli CRG, DSS, ndc, psc(+)
(1944–2023)"
Tenure: November 1993 to August 1994
9 months


14.Major general Alwali Kazir DSS, Usawc, psc(+)
(born 1947)"
Tenure: August 1994 to March 1996
1 year, 7 months


15.Lieutenant general Ishaya Bamaiyi DSS, Usawc, psc(+)
(born 1949)"
Tenure: March 1996 to May 1999
3 years, 2 months


16.Lieutenant general Victor Malu DSS, mni, fwc, psc
(1947–2017)"
Tenure: May 1999 to April 2001
1 year, 11 months


17.Lieutenant general Alexander Ogomudia
(born 1949) Later Chief of Defence Staff"
Tenure: April 2001 to June 2003
2 years, 2 months


18.Lieutenant general Martin Luther Agwai
(born 1948) Later Chief of Defence Staff"
Tenure: June 2003 to June 2006
3 years


19.Lieutenant general Owoye Andrew Azazi
(1952–2012) Later Chief of Defence Staff"
Tenure: 1 June 2006 to May 2007
11 months


20.Lieutenant general Luka Yusuf CFR, GSS, GPP, DSO, psc(+), fwc, Msc
(1952–2009)"
Tenure: June 2007 to August 2008
1 year, 3 months


21.Lieutenant general Abdulrahman Dambazau CFR, GSS, psc, ndc, fwc(+)
(born 1954)"
Tenure: August 2008 to September 2010
2 years, 1 month


22.Lieutenant general Azubuike Ihejirika CFR, GSS, psc(+), fwc, fniqs
(born 1956)"
Tenure: September 2010 to January 2014
3 years, 4 months


23.Lieutenant general Kenneth Minimah GSS, psc(+), fwc
(born 1959)"
Tenure: January 2014 to July 2015
1 year, 6 months


24.Lieutenant general Tukur Yusuf Buratai NAM, GSS, psc(+), ndc (BD)
(born 1960)"
Tenure: 16 July 2015 to 28 January 2021
5 years, 6 months


25.Lieutenant general Ibrahim Attahiru
(1966–2021)"
Tenure: 28 January 2021 to 21 May 2021
3 months


26.Lieutenant general Faruk Yahaya
(born 1966)"
Tenure: 27 May 2021 to 23 June 2023
2 years


27.Lieutenant general Taoreed Lagbaja
(1968–2024)"
Tenure: 23 June 2023 to 5 November 2024
1 year, 4 months


28.Lieutenant general Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede
(born 1968)" Following the ill health of his predecessor until his passing, he held position in the interim until confirmation by the senate
Tenure: 30 October 2024 to 24 October 2025
11 months



29. Major general Waidi Shaibu
(born 1971)"
Tenure: 24 October 2025 to Incumbent




C. CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF
1.Captain Francis William Skutil"
Tenure: 1956 to 1958
1–2 years


2.Commodore Alexander R. Kennedy
Tenure: 1958 to March 1964
5–6 years


3.Vice Admiral Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey OFR FSS
(1918–1991) Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters"
Tenure: March 1964 to January 1973
8 years,10 months


4.Rear Admiral Nelson Bossman Soroh MFR FSS idc
(1928–2006)
Tenure: January 1973 to 29 July 1975
2 years,6 months


5.Rear Admiral Michael Ayinde Adelanwa GCON FSS rcds
(born 1937)
Tenure: 29 July 1975 to 15 April 1980
4 years, 261 days


6.Vice Admiral Akintunde Aduwo CFR FSS FBIM
(born 1938)
Tenure: 15 April 1980 to 31 December 1983
3 years, 260 days


7.Rear Admiral Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu FSS Psc, mni
(1939–2011) later Chief of General Staff
Tenure: January 1984 to October 1986
2 years,9 months


8.Vice Admiral Patrick Seubo Koshoni FSS Psc, mni
(1943–2020)
Tenure: October 1986 to January 1990
3 years, 3 months


9.Vice Admiral Murtala Hamman-Yero Nyako FSS Psc, mni
(born 1942/1943)
Tenure: January 1990 to February 1992
2years


10.Vice Admiral Dan Preston Omosola FSS , DSO, psc, rcds
Tenure: February 1992 to September 1993
1 year 7 months


11.Rear Admiral Suleiman Saidu FSS , LSS, MSS, DSS, rcds
(born 1942)
Tenure: September 1993 to November 1993
2 months


12.Rear Admiral Allison Amaechina Madueke FSS DSS, MRNI, mni
(born 1944)
Tenure: November 1993 to August 1994
9 months


13.Rear Admiral Okhai Michael Akhigbe FSS DSS, psc, mni
(1946–2013) later Chief of General Staff
Tenure: August 1994 to 9 June 1998
3 years, 10 months


14.Vice Admiral Jubril Ayinla GCON FSS DSS, psc, Usnwc, fwc
(born 1948)
Tenure: 9 June 1998 to 29 May 1999
354 days


15.Vice Admiral Victor Ombu CFR mni
(born 1947)
Tenure: 29 May 1999 to 24 April 2001
1 year, 329 days


16.Vice Admiral Samuel Olajide Afolayan DSS, psc, fwc
(born 1948)
Tenure: 24 April 2001 to 20 July 2005
4 years, 87 days


17.Vice Admiral Ganiyu Tunde Adegboyega Adekeye DSS, psc, mirss, mni
(born 1952)
Tenure: 20 July 2005 to 20 August 2008
3 years, 31 days


18.Vice Admiral Ishaya Iko Ibrahim CFR DSS, psc, fwc
(1952–2022)
Tenure: 20 August 2008 to 8 September 2010
2 years, 19 days


19.Vice Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim DSS, psc, rcds, fwc, LLB, (Hons) MA
(born 1955) later Chief of Defence Staff
Tenure: 8 September 2010 to 4 October 2012
2 years, 26 days


20.Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba GSS, fwc, Msc, MRIN, FCIS
(born 1958)
Tenure: 4 October 2012 to 20 January 2014
1 year, 108 days


21.Vice Admiral Usman Oyibe Jibrin GSS, AM, psc+, mni, LLB, PGCPA
(born 1959)
Tenure: 20 January 2014 to 21 July 2015
1 year, 182 days


22. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas
(born 1960)
Tenure: 21 July 2015 to 29 January 2021
5 years, 192 days


23. Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo
(born 1965)
Tenure: 29 January 2021 to 23 June 2023
2 years, 145 days


24. Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla
(born 1968)
Tenure: 23 June 2023 to 24 October 2025
2 years, 123 days


25. Rear Admiral Idi Abbas
(born 1969)
Tenure:24 October 2025 to Incumbent






D. CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF


1. Colonel Gerhard Kahtz
(born 1922)
Tenure: 5 May 1963 to 11 November 1965
2 years, 190 days


2. Colonel Wolfgang Thimmig
(1912–1976)
Tenure: 24 November 1965 to 19 January 1966
56 days


3. Lieutenant Colonel George T. Kurubo
(1934–2000)
Tenure: 19 January 1966 to 5 August 1967
1 year, 198 days


4. Colonel Shittu Alao
(1937–1969)
Tenure: 5 August 1967 to 15 October 1969
2 years, 71 days


5. Brigadier Emmanuel E Ikwue
(born 1940)
Tenure: 18 December 1969 to 29 July 1975
5 years, 223 days


6. Air Vice-Marshal John Nmadu Yisa-Doko
(1942–2012)
Tenure: 29 July 1975 to 14 April 1980
4 years, 260 days


7. Air Vice-Marshal Abdullahi Dominic Bello
(born 1942)
Tenure: 15 April 1980 to 31 December 1983
3 years, 260 days


8. Air Marshal Ibrahim Mahmud Alfa
(1946–2000)
Tenure: 1 January 1984 to1 January 1990
6 years, 0 days


9. Air Vice-Marshal Nuraini Oladimeji Yussuff
(1942–2006)
Tenure: 1 January 1990 to 1 February 1992
2 years, 31 days


10. Air Marshal Akin Dada
Tenure: 1 February 1992 to 17 September 1992
229 days


11. Air Vice-Marshal Femi John Femi
(born 1945)
Tenure: 17 September 1992 to 30 March 1996
3 years, 195 days


12. Air Marshal Nsikak-Abasi Essien Eduok
(1947–2021)
Tenure 30 March 1996 to 29 May 1999
3 years, 60 days


13. Air Marshal Isaac Mohammed Alfa
(born 1950)
Tenure: 29 May 1999 to 24 April 2001
1 year, 330 days


14. Air Marshal Jonah Domfa Wuyep
(born 1948)
Tenure: 24 April 2001 to 1 June 2006
5 years, 38 days


15. Air Marshal Paul Dike
(born 1950) later Chief of Defence Staff"
Tenure: 1 June 2006 to 20 August 2008
2 years, 80 days


16. Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin
(born 1955) later Chief of Defence Staff
Tenure: 20 August 2008 to 8 September 2010
2 years, 19 days


17. Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar
(born 1955)
Tenure: 8 September 2010 to 4 October 2012
2 years, 26 days


18. Air Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh
(1957–2018) later Chief of Defence Staff
Tenure: 4 October 2012 to 20 January 2014
1 year, 108 days


19. Air Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu
(born 1958)
Tenure: 20 January 2014 to 21 July 2015
1 year, 182 days


20. Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar
(born 1960)
Tenure: 21 July 2015 to 29 January 2021
5 years, 192 days


21. Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao
(born 1965)
Tenure: 29 January 2021 to 22 June 2023
2 years, 144 days


22. Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar
(born 1970)
Tenure: 22 June 2023 to 24 October 2025
2 years, 118 days



23. Air Vice Marshal Kelvin Aneke
(born 1972)
Tenure: 24 October 2025 to Incumbent






E. INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE


1. Louis Edet (1964 to 1966)

2. Kam Salem (1966 to 1974)

3. Muhammadu Dikko Yusufu (1975 to 1979)

4. Adamu Suleiman (1979 to 1981)

5. Sunday Adewusi (1981 to 1983)

6. Etim Inyang (1985 to 1986)

7. Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta (1986 to 1990)

8. Aliyu Attah (1990 to 1993)

9. Ibrahim Coomassie (1993 to 1999)

10. Musiliu Smith (1999 to 2002)

11. Mustafa Adebayo Balogun (2002 to 2005)

12. Sunday Ehindero (2005 to 2007)

13. Mike Mbama Okiro (2007 to 2009)

14. Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo (2009 to 2010)

15. Hafiz Ringim (2010 to 2012)

16. Mohammed Dikko Abubakar (2012 to 2014)

17 Suleiman Abba (2014 to 2015)


18. Solomon Arase (2015 to 2016)

19. Ibrahim Kpotun Idris (2016 to 2019)

20. Mohammed Adamu (2019 to 2021)

21. Usman Alkali Baba (2021 to 2023)

22. Kayode Egbetokun (2023 to Incumbent)


REFERENCES

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_of_Defence_Staff_(Nigeria)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_of_Army_Staff_(Nigeria)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_of_the_Naval_Staff_(Nigeria)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_of_the_Air_Staff_(Nigeria)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inspector_General_of_Police_(Nigeria)

Since we have chosen not to speak the truth, when our eyes and conscience opens and ready to accept the truth then we will discuss why Igbos have been marginalized this long.

ShoeMarket:
Since we have chosen not to speak the truth, when our eyes and conscience opens and ready to accept the truth then we will discuss why Igbos have been marginalized this long.

Please elucidate sir



I want to learn from you