The Chief of the Naval Staff

EARLY LIFE

Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla was born on 20 December 1968 in Umuopu Enugu Ezike, Igbo Eze North LGA of Enugu State to the family of Mr James and Mrs Caroline Ogalla. He had his primary education at St Paul’s Catholic Mission School Umuopu Enugu Ezike from 1974 to 1981. After his primary school he proceeded to Igbo Eze Secondary School, Enugu Ezike in July 1981. Thereafter, in July 1982 he gained admission into the prestigious Nigerian Military School Zaria where he completed his secondary education in 1987 and obtained the West African School Certificate. He was the Best Graduating Student (Boy) in Sciences, with distinction (A1) in all subjects except English.

After his secondary school in 1987 he was simultaneously offered admission into the University of Nigeria Nsukka to read medicine as well as the Nigerian Defence Academy to read Mathematics. Based on his background as a Boy Soldier and his fervent zeal to serve his country as a soldier, he chose to enlist into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of 39 Regular Combatant Course on 16 September 1987.

MILITARY COURSES AND QUALIFICATIONS

On successful completion of his cadet training at NDA, he graduated with BSc Mathematics and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant into the Nigerian Navy on 16 September 1992. He was awarded the Sword of Honour being the Best Graduating Naval Cadet in academics, military training, leadership qualities, as well as character and learning. Thereafter, he attended several other military courses at home and abroad such as the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) QUORRA in Lagos from 1995 to 1996 and Basic Hydrographic Course at National Hydrographic School, Goa India from 1999 to 2000.

He also attended the Junior Staff Course from July to November 2001 and Senior Staff Course from August 2005 to July 2006, both at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji where he obtained the prestigious “Pass Staff Course” with excellent grades. He further attended the Higher Strategic Course at National Defence College (NDC) Abuja from September 2013 to August 2014 and also graduated with excellent grades. His research work at the NDC which focused on Water Recourses Management and National Development was highly commendable. As part of the strategic course, he attended the MSc programme in Strategic Studies at University of Ibadan from 2014 to 2015.

APPOINTMENTS HELD

In the course of his illustrious and distinguished career, Vice Admiral Ogalla held several appointments at both service and tri-service level. He started as a Midshipman onboard NNS AMBE from March to September 1992 before serving as Watch Keeping Officer onboard the nations flag ship, NNS ARADU and later NNS LANA and NNS EKUN between September 1992 and May 1996. He obtained his Watch Keeping Certificate onboard NNS EKUN while on deployment for ECOMOG Operations in Liberia in 1996. As a seaman officer, this qualified him to command and take charge of all classes of Nigerian Navy ships at sea in all conditions. His commanding officer at that time described him as a dedicated, resourceful, intelligent and innovative officer with impeccable character and integrity. The senior officer has maintained and improved on these attributes over the years.

The Admiral also served as Acting Base Gunnery Officer in NNS BEECROFT from 1996 to 1997, where he played active role in coordinating the Base patrol duties, policing functions and internal security operations. Thereafter, he was appointed to NNS AGU for Watch Keeping Duties from March 1997 to March 1998 before becoming the Security Officer to Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe Rtd from March 1998 to June 1999. He was later appointed Base Admin Officer NNS QUORRA in 1999. Admiral Ogalla also served in various capacities at the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic School, Port Harcourt. First as an Instructor from March 2000 to September 2001 and December 2001 to August 2003 and later as the Chief Instructor from February to September 2009. He further served as Officer in Charge (OIC) P217 at NNS DELTA from 2003 to 2004 and later Staff Officer Survey at the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office (NNHO). After his Senior Staff course in 2006, Emma was appointed Staff Officer Instrument at NNHO and later Base Operations Officer (BOO) NNS PATHFINDER from September 2009 to March 2011. As BOO, he played a vital role in combatting oil theft and other economic crimes in the maritime environment which enhanced maritime security in the Niger Delta.  During this period, he was responsible for all the policing functions of the Base including anti oil theft, anti-smuggling, anti-illegal fisheries patrols and general internal security operations including the fight against the then prevailing militancy crisis in the Niger Delta Region.

In October 2011, he was appointed as the Assistant Director Career Planning NHQ. Being a seasoned hydrographer, he returned to the Navy Hydrography School as the Commandant from August 2014 to February 2016. Thereafter, he was appointed Deputy Director Hydrography NHQ in February 2016 and later Directing Staff National Defence College where he served from January 2017 to April 2019. During the period, he also served as the Director of Academic Research and Analytical Support where he contributed immensely to improving the research package and general strategic studies of the College on national security and development. He was later appointed as the Director Personnel Release and Director Audit both at NHQ at different times between May 2019 and March 2021. He was the Director Lessons Learnt NHQ from February 2022 where he served until his appointment as the 24^th Chief of the Naval Staff on 19 June 2023. 

PROMOTIONS

As an illustrious officer, Admiral EI Ogalla earned his promotions all through his career. He was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 16 September 1992, promoted to Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander with effect from 16 September 1995 and 16 September 2000 respectively. He was also promoted Commander, Captain and Commodore in 2005, 2010 and 2015 respectively. Subsequently, he was promoted to the enviable rank of Rear Admiral with effect from 16 September 2021.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

In the course of his service career, Vice Admiral Ogalla has been recognised by his superiors, peers and subordinate as an officer with high intellectual capacity and uncommon ability to conceptualise complex operations, which generally earned him the nick name “Prof”. He has made outstanding contributions and achievements in the course of his career. As an Instructor and Commandant in Hydro School, he taught several courses including geodesy, tidal predictions, satellite surveying among others. He linked the School to Teledyn Marine, a reputable Original Equipment Manufacturer in the United States. Through the link, the School was able to procure modern survey equipment, which were highly efficient and cost effective and thus enhanced the students’ practical ability. He also reviewed the School’s curriculum to align with the requirements of the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO). All these formed the bedrock of Nigerian Navy Hydrographic capacity building, which has been widely acclaimed by the IHO. As a trained hydrographer, he contributed immensely to the survey and production of several nautical charts at the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office (NNHO). He was also instrumental to the localisation of tidal analysis and prediction in the NNHO.

During his tour of duty at the National Defence College, he improved the College research package and contributed immensely to the training of senior officers on national security and development. His publications in the College include Tips on Research Methodology and Analytical Tools for computation of participants research project. He also led the 2018 NDC participants research study tour to China and South Korea, thereby improving diplomatic ties with the countries. As Director Lessons Learnt, he was responsible for collating and analysing all previous naval operations and activities with a view to drawing lessons. Most of the outputs emanating from the Directorate were used to modify and improve NN operational and doctrinal standards during the period.

Vice Admiral Ogalla also served in various Service, tri-service, regional, international and Inter-Ministerial Committees at various times. These include committee on implementation of the 2050 Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy and the 2^nd Extra Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of Gulf of Guinea Commission, where he made invaluable and innovative contributions. He played outstanding roles in inter-ministerial committees such as the 2013 Presidential Committee on Flood Mitigation and Control, development of National Maritime Transport Policy and the National Maritime Strategy between 2012 and 2018.

DECORATIONS AND AWARDS

In the course of his distinguished career, Vice Admiral Ogalla earned several awards. He was decorated with Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star and Grand Service Star. He was also decorated with the Admiralty Medal on 23 June 2023. He is also a distinguished fellow of the National Defence College Nigeria.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

He is a member of the Nigerian Hydrographic Society and the Nigerian Institute of Management. He is also a fellow of the Occupational Safety and Health Association of the UK.

HOBBIES

At his leisure time Vice Admiral Ogalla enjoys jogging, reading, listening and researching about science and nature.

MARITAL STATUS

Vice Admiral Ogalla is married to his beloved wife Mrs Ijeoma Ogalla and the marriage is blessed with 2 children.