Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe

Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe (born October 26, 1940) is a retired Nigerian Navy Commodore, former Military Governor, and one-time de facto Vice President of Nigeria under General Ibrahim Babangida from 1985 to 1986. He is respected for his distinguished military service, principled political career, and dedication to national development.

Early Life and Education

Ebitu Ukiwe was born into a royal family in Abiriba, Ohafia Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. His father, Chief Ebitu Ukiwe, was a prominent traditional ruler and served as the head of the Old Bende Division Local Government Appeal Court.

He began his education at the Church of Scotland Mission School and later attended Enuda High School, Abiriba (1954–1958). In 1960, he pursued advanced studies in Physics and Mathematics at the Seventh Day Adventist High School in Ihie.

Military Career

In 1960, at the dawn of Nigeria’s independence, Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe was inspired by the smart, all-white uniform of the Royal Nigerian Navy and joined as an officer cadet. He initially underwent preliminary military training at the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) in Kaduna between 1960 and 1961.

After his basic military education in Nigeria, Ukiwe earned admission to the prestigious Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, United Kingdom, where he underwent advanced naval training. Upon successful completion, he was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in the Nigerian Navy in 1964. His early naval education included specialized courses in gunnery, torpedo operations, mine-sweeping, navigation, and anti-submarine warfare, areas in which he excelled and earned commendations.

During the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), Ebitu Ukiwe, like many Igbo officers, fought on the side of Biafra. After Biafra’s surrender, it was rare for former Biafran officers to be reabsorbed into the federal military. However, recognizing his professionalism and capacity, the Nigerian Navy reinstated Ukiwe in 1972, a testament to his high reputation and competence.

His post-war military career saw rapid advancement. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Ukiwe held several critical positions, including:

• Military Governor of Niger State (December 1977 – July 1978):
  Appointed by General Olusegun Obasanjo, Ukiwe served as the military administrator of Niger State, overseeing governance, development, and military-civilian relations during a sensitive post-war period.
• Military Governor of Lagos State (July 1978 – October 1979):
  In a strategic redeployment, he was posted to Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial nerve center, where he simultaneously served as Commanding Officer of the Apapa Naval Base, NNS Beecroft. In this role, he managed complex civilian governance issues while maintaining naval security operations.
• Director, Naval Faculty, Command and Staff College, Jaji (1981–1984):
  Ukiwe became the first director of the newly established Naval Faculty at the prestigious military academy in Jaji, Kaduna State. This appointment coincided with his continued role as a member of the Supreme Military Council, Nigeria’s highest ruling body under the military regimes of General Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon.
• Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command (1984–1985):
  Ukiwe commanded Nigeria’s largest naval operations zone, overseeing naval security along the Atlantic coastline and managing crucial assets at a time of regional tensions.

In August 1985, after a palace coup led by General Ibrahim Babangida deposed Buhari, Ebitu Ukiwe was appointed as Chief of General Staff (CGS)—effectively making him the second-in-command in the Nigerian military hierarchy and the de facto Vice President of Nigeria. His appointment marked a historic moment as he became the first-ever Chief of General Staff under the newly styled title introduced by Babangida.

However, Ukiwe’s tenure was short-lived. In October 1986, he was abruptly removed from office after openly opposing Nigeria’s decision to seek full membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Ukiwe argued that Nigeria was a secular state by constitutional design, and affiliating with a religious organization was against national unity. His principled stand, though costing him his position, earned him widespread respect across Nigeria’s religious and ethnic divides.

Recognitions and Honors

Ebitu Ukiwe’s commitment to national service did not go unnoticed:

• In 1999, he was conferred with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), one of Nigeria’s highest national honors.
• In recognition of his leadership and contributions to public administration, he received an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc) in Public Administration from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.

Among his community, Ukiwe is revered with the traditional title “Ochiaga Ochimba of Abiriba”, meaning “Fearless Warrior and Leader” — a nod to both his military prowess and his influential role in national life.

Post-Military Career

After retiring from the military in January 1987, Ukiwe became actively involved in pro-democracy movements. He was a strong supporter of Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 annulled presidential election.

In business, he chaired several companies, including:

• Bitu Properties
• Kobimat
• Bitu Promar
• Rudocons Ltd

He also served for nine years as a senior adviser to Statoil Nigeria (now part of Equinor).

In 2006, Ukiwe contested for the Presidential nomination of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but was unsuccessful.

Personal Life

Ebitu Ukiwe is married to Amina Ukiwe, and together they have children. One of their sons, Otisi Ebitu Ukiwe, is a Lagos-based security consultant who declared his intention to contest the 2023 Abia State Governorship Election under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In the party primaries, Otisi polled 160 votes but was defeated by Bishop Sunday Onuoha, who secured 330 votes to become the ADC’s gubernatorial candidate. ​

As of now, publicly available information confirms only Otisi Ebitu Ukiwe as a child of Ebitu and Amina Ukiwe. There is no verified data regarding other children or previous marriages of Ebitu Ukiwe.

Legacy

Ebitu Ukiwe is widely remembered for his integrity, principled leadership, and courage. His resistance to policies he considered unconstitutional, even at the risk of his career, stands out in Nigeria’s political history. He remains a symbol of nationalism, discipline, and professionalism.

References

• “Ebitu Ukiwe.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebitu_Ukiwe
• “Ebitu Ukiwe Biography/Profile.” Manpower Nigeria. https://www.manpower.com.ng/people/15789/ebitu-ukiwe
• “Ebitu Ukiwe.” Military Wiki. https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Ebitu_Ukiwe
• “Ebitu Ukiwe.” Litcaf Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.litcaf.com/history/history-political/ebitu-ukiwe/

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