Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday appointed Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the Administrator of Rivers State after declaring a state of emergency in the state.
The President made the declaration during his nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
In his address, President Tinubu expressed concern over the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, stating that the situation had not improved despite efforts to restore peace.
To justify his decision, the President invoked Section 305 (5) of the 1999 Constitution, which allows for the declaration of a state of emergency in situations where there is a breakdown of public order and safety.
As part of the measures, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, were suspended from office for six months.
He also suspended members of the state House of Assembly for the same duration.
Who is Ibok-Ete Ibas?
Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, is a distinguished Nigerian naval officer with a career spanning over four decades. He served as the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of the Nigerian Navy from July 13, 2015, to January 29, 2021. He also served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Ghana.
Educational background
Ibas commenced his education at Nko Primary School and completed it at Big Qua Primary School in 1971. He attended Hope Waddell Training Institute from 1972 to 1976 and then the School of Basic Studies in Ogoja between 1977 and 1979.
In 1979, he entered the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 26 Regular Course, commissioning as a Sub-Lieutenant on January 1, 1983.
Military Courses and Qualifications
Ibas has attended several military courses both in Nigeria and abroad. His training includes:
1. Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy in India (April 1983 to May 1984).
2. Primary Pilot Training at the 301 Primary Flying Training School, Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna (April 1986 to October 1987).
3. Junior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna (January 1990 to June 1990).
4. Diploma in Amphibious Warfare from the Amphibious Warfare School of the United States Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, USA (July 1992 to May 1993).
5. Officers Long Course specializing in underwater warfare at the Underwater Warfare School, NNS Quorra (February 1994 to February 1995).
6. Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna (August 1996 to July 1997), where he graduated with excellent grades.
7. National Defence Course at the National Defence College in Islamabad, Pakistan (August 2005 to June 2006).
In addition to his military training, Ibas holds a Master’s Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Military Appointments
Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas has held numerous appointments in the Nigerian Navy throughout his distinguished career.
1. Early Career:
As a midshipman, he served on board NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma, and NNS Aradu.
After being commissioned as a sub-lieutenant, he served as a watchkeeping officer on board NNS Ayam and NNS Ekpe.
2. Command Roles:
Between July 1993 and August 1996, as a lieutenant commander, he served as the executive officer of NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe.
From August 1997 to September 1998, he was the commanding officer of the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School.
He later served as the commanding officer of the Forward Operating Base Ibaka from September 1998 to June 2000.
3. Staff and Training Roles:
Due to his outstanding performance in the Senior Staff Course, he was appointed as a directing staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, from June 2000 to June 2002.
He returned to the college in January 2009 as the director of the Department of Maritime Warfare, a position he held until November 2010.
His final role at the college was as deputy commandant from January to February 2014.
4. Other Key Appointments:
He served as the naval provost marshal from April 2003 to June 2004.
From June 2004 to July 2005, he was the principal staff officer to the then Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).
He served as the command operations officer at the Headquarters Western Naval Command, Lagos, from June to December 2006, and again from December 2006 to January 2009.
He also served as the commander of the Naval Air Base, Ojo.
From September 2010 to March 2011, he was the chief staff officer at the Headquarters, Naval Training Command, Lagos.
5. Senior Leadership Roles:
In recognition of his expertise in staff duties and administration, he was appointed to the Naval Headquarters, first as the chief of administration from March 2011 to February 2012, and later as the Navy Secretary from February 2012 to January 2013.
He served as the flag officer commanding Western Naval Command from January 2013 to January 2014.
In February 2014, he was appointed as the chief of logistics, and in December of the same year, he became the GMD/CEO of Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited. He held this position until his appointment as the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff on July 13, 2015.
6. Recent Appointment:
On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu appointed him as the Administrator of Rivers State in Nigeria’s South-South region, following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
Awards and Decorations
In the course of a distinguished service in the Nigerian Navy, Ibas earned several prestigious awards including the Silver Jubilee Medal, ECOMOG Medal, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, General Service Star and Admiralty medal. Others are the Passed Staff Course (DAGGER) and a Fellow of the NDC.
He is also a recipient of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), conferred in October 2022 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Why did Tinubu appoint him as Rivers state sole military administrator?
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State.
He said: “In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate”.
It is said that Ibas will bring his wealth of experience in security, governance, and diplomacy to bear on one of Nigeria’s most strategic regions serving as the sole administrator of Rivers state.
