Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) CFR psc+ GSS AM ndc MSc is a seasoned military officer and former Chief of the Naval Staff of Nigeria, ThisDay Nigeria reports.

Born on September 27, 1960, he has had a distinguished career in the Nigerian Navy, serving in various strategic roles before retiring in 2021. His expertise spans naval warfare, logistics, and defense strategy.

In 2025, he was appointed as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following a state of emergency declaration in the state. Here are ten key things to know about him:

1. Former Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS)
Vice Admiral Ibas served as the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, overseeing Nigeria’s naval operations and maritime security efforts.

2. A Distinguished Military Career
He enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1979 as part of the 26 Regular Course and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983. His career spanned four decades in various naval commands.

3. Extensive Military Education and Training
Ibas attended prestigious military institutions worldwide, including the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (Jaji, Nigeria), the National Defence College (Pakistan), and the United States Marine Corps University (Quantico, Virginia).

4. Expertise in Underwater Warfare
He specialized in underwater warfare after completing an advanced course at the Nigerian Navy’s Underwater Warfare School in 1995, which played a crucial role in shaping his naval career.

5. Command Experience in the Nigerian Navy
He held several key leadership roles, including Commander of the Naval Air Base, Ojo, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, and Chief of Logistics at the Naval Headquarters.

6. Experience in Defense Strategy and Policy
He earned a Master’s degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, strengthening his expertise in military strategy and national security policymaking.

7. Appointed Rivers State Administrator in 2025
On March 18, 2025, President Tinubu appointed him as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State to oversee governance following a state of emergency declaration.

8. Recipient of National and Military Honors
Ibas has been awarded numerous accolades, including the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, and Distinguished Service Star.

9. Member of Prestigious Professional Bodies
He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management, among other organizations.

10. Family and Personal Life
He is married to Theresa Ibas, and they have three children. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys various hobbies that complement his disciplined military background.

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas remains a highly respected figure in Nigeria’s military and governance landscape, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to his new role as Rivers State Administrator.

More details: https://thisdaynigeria.news/2025/03/18/10-things-to-know-about-newly-appointed-rivers-state-sole-administrator-vice-admiral-ibas/

Tho a fellow South Southerner.
I hope he will be able to handle the situation.

Tinubu is making a mistake, and no one close to him is telling him that

Where is he from?

They were plotting Fubura’s removal the whole time. Emperor Wike even threatened to blow up the country but Fubura instead was removed!

What of state of origin

Tinubu thinks militants are afraid of military. He made a biggest mistake. Wike that's not reliable that he mess himself up for.

yinkus6750:
Tho a fellow South Southerner.
I hope he will be able to handle the situation.

This is the time and opportunity to reduce the arrogance tribe in the Niger Delta

Mrfixiit:
Tinubu is making a mistake, and no one close to him is telling him that

The president has done the right thing

Henix:
Where is he from?

He is obviously from Akwa Ibom. Tinubu no rate Ijaws at all. Imagine to chase away their son, the first time an ijaw is governing Rivers since this democracy started in 1999, only to replace him with an outsider. If Tinubu had the slightest regard for Ijaws, he would have appointed another ijaw man but he didn't even pretend that he doesn't hate them.

Everyone that is appointed as something must have ten or twenty things you should know about them

I DONT NEED TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HIM.


HE WONT SMELL RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT HOUSE.


HE SHOULD TRY LAGOS.

Lol. Leave all these shalaye. Go and ask Navy personnel about him and the name dey call him. Not this Chatgpt post you put here.

NASS WONT APPROVE IT, JUST AS THEY DID NOT APPROVE THE DRUGGIE WAR ON NIGER REPUBLIC.


IT IS A MOST FOOLISH VENTURE BY A DRUG BARRON.

Tinubu is really daft

Hxhx

Ibo man! You think say you wise, see as he pour petrol for matter while pretending to be an independent observer

proeast:


He is obviously from Akwa Ibom. Tinubu no rate Ijaws at all. Imagine to chase away their son, the first time an ijaw is governing Rivers since this democracy started in 1999, only to replace him with an outsider. If Tinubu had the slightest regard for Ijaws, he would have appointed another ijaw man but he didn't even pretend that he doesn't hate them.

Tinubu's greed and lust for power knows no bounds.

bestman09:
Tinubu is really daft

A daft man is the President of you and your father.

Hmmm

But fubura na stubborn Man.

Just 2 yrs governorship u don almost blow up everywhere.

I continue to maintain, I hate APC but have high regard for Tinubu. He has proven himself far more a decisive president than Buhari who watched aloof while things suffered.

For the rest of us who claim to dislike Tinubu, why advise a man you claim to hate? Allow him make his mistakes in peace.

Henix:
Where is he from?

I waited to see that.

Mrfixiit:
Tinubu is making a mistake, and no one close to him is telling him that

No you people that were edging Fubara should have advised him.

Many are shouting why did the suspend Wike!

Legally what is Wike done? What can you go to court and charge him with? Is Wike the executive governor of Rivers state?

Then ask yourself what laws has Fubara broken.

You see when you are doing this gra gra no gree for anybody, always ask yourself where you stand regarding the law. For all his gra gra, Wike has broken no law, Fubara has broken many and he is the one saddled with the responsibility of Rivers state and he has acted like a man without a brain.

Do not be bas, think about competency firstly. This is not just an ordinary appointment

proeast:


He is obviously from Akwa Ibom. Tinubu no rate Ijaws at all. Imagine to chase away their son, the first time an ijaw is governing Rivers since this democracy started in 1999, only to replace him with an outsider. If Tinubu had the slightest regard for Ijaws, he would have appointed another ijaw man but he didn't even pretend that he doesn't hate them.

proeast:


He is obviously from Akwa Ibom. Tinubu no rate Ijaws at all. Imagine to chase away their son, the first time an ijaw is governing Rivers since this democracy started in 1999, only to replace him with an outsider. If Tinubu had the slightest regard for Ijaws, he would have appointed another ijaw man but he didn't even pretend that he doesn't hate them.

and the Ijaw man that manage to be governor became an Idiat and a traitor. Serve him right.

Mrfixiit:
Tinubu is making a mistake, and no one close to him is telling him that

What mistake, supreme court has frozen the account of the state untill the governor do the right thing so how will the works be suffering for political crises. Now workers will be able to collect salaries and business will go on. If they can't resolve it,then Thier problem.

Moreso, Tinubu is not the first to declare state of emergency. Only Buhari did not.

Since they have refused to be reasonable..Another man from another state will come and rule them

He has an intimidating cv