Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi (rtd), is dead. He died at the age of 75 after a brief illness.
Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, disclosed Ogohi’s passing on Sunday in a statement in Abuja.
Admiral Ogohi, who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff from 1999 to 2003, reportedly passed away in the early hours of Sunday at his residence in Abuja.
“With deep sorrow, I announce the death of Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi (rtd), a former Chief of Defence Staff (1999-2003). He passed on in Abuja in the early hours of today. More details will be communicated later,’ Gusau said.
Born on November 14, 1948, Admiral Ogohi hailed from Okura Olafia in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Admiral Ogohi began his education at St John’s College, Kaduna, where he completed his secondary education from 1962 to 1966.
He later enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of Regular Course 4, graduating in 1970.
His pursuit of professional excellence took him overseas for training, including the Midshipman course in the UK (1971), technical courses in India (1972), Underwater Warfare Course in India (1976), and the U.S. Naval War College Course in 1980 and 1992.
Throughout his career, Admiral Ogohi held numerous command and administrative positions, showcasing his leadership and strategic capabilities.
He served as the Commanding Officer of NNS France and NNS Anansa in the 1980s, and later assumed significant roles such as Director of Administration at the NDA (1986-1987), Directing Staff at the National War College (1992), and Deputy Commandant at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (1995).
In May 1999, Admiral Ogohi was appointed as the Chief of Defence Staff, becoming the first Nigerian Navy officer to attain the prestigious four-star general rank.
He served in this capacity until 2003, contributing to the strategic direction and operational effectiveness of Nigeria’s defence forces during a critical period.
