President Bola Tinubu has appointed Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the administrator of Rivers State.
His appointment follows the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Mrs. Ngozi Odu for six months.
Before assuming this role, Ibas served as the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff, a position he held until 2021.
Key Facts About Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas
Born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy on June 20, 1979, as part of the 26 Regular Course and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983.
Attended Nko Primary School and later completed his primary education at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971.
Studied at Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar (1972–1976), and the School of Basic Studies, Ogoja (1977–1979).
Obtained a master’s degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Completed the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy, India (1983–1984), and underwent Primary Pilot Training at the 301 Primary Flying Training School, Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna (1986–1987).
Attended the Junior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, in 1990 and the Amphibious Warfare Course at the United States Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia, in 1992.
Specialized in Underwater Warfare at NNS Quorra in 1994 and completed the Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, in 1997.
Furthered his military education at the National Defence College, Islamabad, Pakistan, in 2005.
Military Career Highlights
Served on NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma, and NNS Aradu as a midshipman, and later as a watchkeeping officer on NNS Ayam and NNS Ekpe.
Held the role of Executive Officer on NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe (1993–1996).
Commanded the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School (1997–1998) and the Forward Operating Base, Ibaka (1998–2000).
Served as a directing staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (2000–2002), and later became its deputy commandant in 2014.
Held key staff positions, including Naval Provost Marshal (2003–2004), Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Naval Staff (2004–2005), and Commander of the Naval Air Base, Ojo (2006–2009).
Served as Chief Staff Officer at the Naval Training Command, Lagos (2010–2011), Chief of Administration at Naval Headquarters (2011–2012), and Navy Secretary (2012–2013).
Appointed Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command (2013–2014), Chief of Logistics (2014), and later GMD/CEO of Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited.
Became the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff on July 13, 2015, serving until his retirement in 2021.
Recent Appointment
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibas as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency. His primary responsibility is to oversee governance and restore stability amid political unrest in the state.
