Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim is no stranger to history. The Kaduna-born soldier has a history of service, sacrifice, and fortitude. Being in the Nigerian Army, according to Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim, is about participation and duty more than positions. This has allowed the Borno-native soldier to consistently perform admirably and serve meritoriously in whatever position to which he has been promoted.
From serving on the front lines to directing multinational forces, Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim has demonstrated beyond doubt that leadership is more than simply a title. Major General Ibrahim believes that leadership is about leaving a legacy. Those who know Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim and his values, notably his role in shaping the future of Nigeria’s military, are not shocked that he has been chosen Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
20 things you probably don’t know about Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim, the new Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA):
He is a member of the 39 Regular Course
He was commissioned into the rank of Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army on 19 September, 1992
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the Nigerian Defence Academy
He holds a Masters in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State
He led the MNJTF in the Lake Chad Basin – As Force Commander, he coordinated multinational forces against Boko Haram and ISWAP, achieving major victories.
As a commander of Sector 1 in MNJTF, he led operations in Niger’s Diffa Region, repelling insurgents and saving countless lives.
He was a General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division.
He was instrumental in leading Nigerian forces in the northeast, spearheading critical operations in the war against insurgency.
He fought in some of Nigeria’s toughest battle zones – His leadership was felt across Borno, Yobe, and other conflict areas.
He pushed for military tech innovation – from drones to tactical support systems.
He championed modernizing the Nigerian Army’s equipment and strategy.
He is known for spending time with his troops, leading from the front—not from behind a desk.
His leadership focuses on shaping the next generation of officers through guidance and real-world experience.
He is a staunch supporter of relatives of fallen heroes – he’s always offering personal support to friends and relatives of those who sacrificed for Nigeria.
He values unity over division – Working alongside both English and French-speaking forces, he built bridges, not walls, during multinational operations.
He is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Star, one of the highest honors, recognizing his service nationally and internationally.
As Acting Corps Commander of the Infantry Corps, he redefined the role by emphasizing the importance of research and development.
He was a Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force in Ndjamena, Chad
He is a recipient of the Officer of the Order of the Republic (OFR), one of the highest honors in the country
He is a recipient of the National Order of Chad (NOOC), one of the highest honors in the country
