A distinguished former Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi, has passed away at the age of 75 after a brief illness.
The news was confirmed by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement issued on Sunday.
Ogohi, who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 1999 to 2003, was the first Nigerian Navy officer to achieve the rank of four-star general. He passed away in the early hours of Sunday at his home 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 in the statement.
Born on November 14, 1948, in Okura Olafia, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Ogohi had a distinguished career both before and after his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff. He began his early education at St. John’s College, Kaduna, from 1962 to 1966, and then entered the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1967, where he graduated as part of Regular Course 4 in 1970.
Ogohi furthered his naval training with a Midshipman course in the UK in 1971, followed by a technical course in India in 1972, an Underwater Warfare Course in India in 1976, and attended the U.S. Naval War College in 1980 and 1992.
Throughout his career, Ogohi held several significant positions, including Commanding Officer of Eken NNS France in 1982, Commander of NNS Anansa in 1985, and Director of Administration at the NDA from 1986 to 1987. He also served as Directing Staff at the National War College in 1992 and as Deputy Commandant at the Armed Forces Command Staff College, Jaji, in 1995.
In May 1999, Ogohi was appointed Chief of Defence Staff, a role he held until 2003. His leadership and contributions to the Nigerian military remain a significant part of his legacy.
