Profiles Of Nigeria’s New Service Chiefs

President Bola Tinubu on Monday night appointed new Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police in a measure aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s security architectures to battle insecurity in the country.

The new service chiefs were appointed after the president retired the former ones.

The new Service Chiefs are Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff; AVM H.B Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff; DIG Kayode Egbetokun, Acting Inspector-General of Police and Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye, Chief of Defense Intelligence.

Below are the profiles of the new Service Chiefs:

1. Maj.-Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, Chief of Defence Staff

Major General Christopher Gwabin Musa was born in Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria on December 25, 1967.

He attended primary and secondary education in the conservative Muslim state although he is originally from Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in the Christian South of Kaduna State.

Musa was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna State in 1986 where he underwent intense and rigorous military training for five years during a time the Nigerian military held political power in the country.

In September 1991, he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a second lieutenant in the Infantry Corps.

He holds an Advanced Diploma in Security Management from the University of Lagos, Advance Diploma in Defence and Strategic Course (China) – International College of Defence Studies -National Defense University (ICDS-NDU) – Changing – China, amongst others.

Major-General Musa has attended all statutory Military Courses and Trainings both in Nigeria and outside Nigeria.

He was the General Staff Officer 1 Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division, he was the Commanding Officer 73 Battalion, Assistant Director of Operational Requirements at the Department of Army Policy and Plans, and Infantry Representative/Member Training Team at HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.

Also, he was the Deputy Chief of Staff Training/Operations at HQ Infantry Centre and Corps, Commander Sector 3 OP LAFIYA DOLE, Commander Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region, and other positions too numerous to mention.

He was also the Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI.

Until his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff, he was Commander, Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.

2. Maj. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff

Abiodun Lagbaja was born in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, Osun State on 28 February 1968.

He attended Local Authority Teachers College Demonstration School Osogbo between 1973 – 1979.

He attended St Charles Grammar School, Osogbo from 1979 – 1984 and also attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan from 1984 to 1986 and obtained West African School Certificate (Advanced Level).

He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy on 12 September 1987 as a member of the 39th Regular Course.

Lagbaja was 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 documentaries and reading biographies.

3. Rear Admiral A. Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff

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 the 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 on Nov 01 and Jul 06 respectively. He was a participant in NDC Course 22 and was awarded fdc on 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, and 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 in 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 jogging, reading, listening, and researching about science and nature.

4. Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff

Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar was born on 11 September 1970.

He hails from Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State.

He enlisted into the NAF as a member of NDA RC 39 and commissioned Pilot Offr on 19 Sep 92.

Abubakar bagged a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Nigerian Defence, Academy Kaduna.

He holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from ABU, Zaria.

He was Admin Officer 16 Engineering Wing, 1 Engineering Group NAF Makurdi.

He also held the position of Officer Commanding Admin Services Flight/ Group Public Relations Officer, 97 Special Operations Group NAF Port Harcourt.

Abubakar was appointed Officer Commanding Yellow Squadron – Air Force Military School Jos and Admin Officer Primary Flying Training Wing – 301 FTS NAF Kaduna, as well as SO1 Admin 301 FTS NAF Kaduna.

He was also 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 and Operations Officer, Operational Conversion Unit 88 Military Airlift group Nigerian air Force Lagos.

He was also 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, 011, Presidential Air Fleet; Commander 011 Presidential Air Fleet, Chief of Staff, Mobility Command; Director of Policy, HQ NAF and Director of Operations, HQ NAF; Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command and the Chief of Standards and Operations, HQ NAF.

Abubakar is happily married with children and in his leisure time, the senior officer enjoys flying airplanes, reading, reflecting, and keeping fit.

5. DIG Kayode Egbetokun, Acting Inspector-General of Police 

Kayode Egbetokun was born on Sept. 4, 1964, in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

He is a June 1987 graduate of Mathematics from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Egbetokun lectured Mathematics briefly at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, before his enlistment into the police.

His other academic qualifications include an MSC Engineering Analysis (UNILAG), also from the University of Lagos, Akoka, 1996; Post-Graduate Diploma in Petroleum Economics from Delta State University, Abraka, 2000; and an MBA from Lagos State University, Ojo, 2004.

Egbetokun enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on March 3, 1990, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

In 1999, he was appointed Chief Security Officer to Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu.

He served as the Commander, Rapid Response Squad, Lagos; Squadron Commander, Mopol 5, Benin, Benin City; Officer-in-Charge, Anti-Fraud Unit, FCT Command, Abuja; Chief Superintendent of Police, Administration, Lagos State Command Head Quarters, Ikeja; Area Commander, Osogbo, Osun State Command; and Area Commander, Gusau, Zamfara State Command, amongst others.

He was promoted Commissioner of Police on 29 September, 2020 and was deployed to Kwara State; Assistant Inspector General of Police in September 2022, and deployed to Zone 7 (Abuja) and Deputy Inspector General of Police on March 29, 2023, and deployed to the FCID.

Meanwhile, Kanyi Daily reported that President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate dissolution of the Governing Board of all Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-Owned Companies in the exercise of its Constitutional Powers and in the Public interest.

Willie Bassey, Director, Information announced in a statement on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday.