CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF

 
VICE ADMIRAL UO JIBRIN GSS AM psc+ mni LLB PGCPA
Vice Admiral Usman Oyibe Jibrin was born on 16 September 1959 in Okura Lafia, Dekina LGA of Kogi State. He enlisted into the Nigerian Navy through the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 24th Regular Combatant Course, graduating as the Best Naval Cadet. He was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 1 January 1982.
Since his commission, he has held several appointments ashore and afloat. As a Sub-Lieutenant, he was a Watch Keeping Officer on board NNS DAMISA, NNS ARADU and NNS AYAM between January 1982 and January 1984. Between July 1984 and June 1987, as a young officer, Vice Admiral Jibrin served as Base Intelligence Officer, NNS UMALOKUN, Flag Lieutenant to Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency, Commanding Officer NNS HADEJA, Staff Officer 2 Intelligence, Western Naval Command, Apapa and Commandant, Nigerian Navy Intelligence School, also in Apapa, Lagos. Thereafter, he served as Instructor, Navigation and Direction School, Nigerian Navy Ship QUORRA from 1989 – 1991. As a Commander, he served as a Directing Staff at the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji from 1994 to 1996. In 1996, he was appointed Executive Officer, NNS ENYIMIRI.
In 1997, the senior officer was appointed Commanding Officer  of Nigerian Navy Ship OFIOM. He later in 1998 commanded the sister ship NNS AMBE in operation Liberty (ECOMOG). As Commanding Officer NNS AMBE, the ship was involved in the  strategic sealift of troops and logistic requirements in ECOMOG Operations. His exemplary performance during the operations earned him a special commendation by the then Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Okhai Mike Akhigbe of blessed memory. This also earned him the prestigious Command at Sea Badge. Thereafter, he served as Executive Officer, NNS UMALOKUN. As a Captain, the senior officer held the following appointments: Deputy Director Attaché Management, Defence Intelligence Agency (2001), Naval Provost Marshal, Naval Headquarters (2001). In 2002, the senior officer was appointed Defence Adviser to the Nigerian Embassy Cameroun (2002 – 2006). As Defence Adviser Cameroun, the senior officer was a key figure during the Nigerian-Bakassi Peninsula crisis by providing the needed intelligence estimates to Nigerian troops. He was also a member of the Nigerian delegation on the United Nations Commission on the resolution of the Bakassi dispute where his diplomatic expertise, intelligence and military experience was brought to bear on the decisions that led to the peaceful resolution of the crisis.
As a Commodore between December 2006 and June 2007, he served as Chief Staff Officer at the Sea Training Command, and later Commandant, Defence Intelligence School (DIS) Abuja. At the DIS, the senior officer improved the infrastructure and upgraded the school to meet international standards. The school is today comparable to any international intelligence school of its category in Sub- Saharan Africa. He later served as Navy Secretary. While serving as NAVSEC he was promoted to Rear Admiral. As NAVSEC, he brought his wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of his duties. Under his tenure as NAVSEC, Naval Record Keeping was strengthened, Career Planning improved.
He was later appointed Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command in 2010. As FOC East, he coordinated Exercise NEMO, a joint operation involving the 3 Services around the Gulf of Guinea. Also, he successfully coordinated a combined Exercise, OBANGAME  EXPRESS 2012, involving 11 countries including UK, US Germany and others. In February 2012 he was appointed Chief of Logistics and later the Director of Training, Defence Headquarters Abuja.
In recognition of his sterling qualities and professional achievements, Rear Admiral Jibrin was elevated to the coveted position of the 19th indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff by President, Commander-in-Chief, Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR).
On 5 February 2014, Rear Admiral UO Jibrin was promoted Vice Admiral by Mr President. His decorations and awards include Best Naval Cadet (24RC 1980), Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), General Service Star (GSS), Passed Staff College Dagger (psc+) and Command at Sea Badge. On his appointment as Chief of the Naval Staff, he was decorated with the Admiralty Medal.
Vice Admiral Jibrin is happily married to Mrs Lami Ohiama Jibrin. They are blessed with 5 Children. His hobbies are reading, golfing, dancing, walking and supervising projects.