Brig.-Gen. Samaila Mohammed Uba, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR) and seasoned strategic communication expert, has assumed office as the new Director of Defence Information (DDI).

The handover ceremony, which held at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), followed a recent reorganisation within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Uba, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano (BUK), succeeded Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, whom he commended for his achievements during his tenure.

In his inaugural address, the new DDI pledged to reposition the directorate under four key priorities — unity of purpose, timeliness and transparency, digital innovation, and media collaboration.

He also lauded his predecessor for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.

Born on July 1, 1968, in Tudun Wada, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, Uba began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of Short Service Combatant Course 30 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on March 13, 1993.

He initially served in the Directorate of Army Public Relations before transferring to the Infantry Corps.

His educational background includes Tudun Wada Primary School and Saint Thomas Secondary School, Kano, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and West African School Certificate in 1981 and 1986, respectively.

He later bagged a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration in 2009 and a Master’s degree in Strategic and Development Studies from the Bangladesh University of Professionals in 2019.

Uba attended several military courses, including the Senior Staff Course at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Bangladesh.

He held several command, staff, and instructional appointments such as Officer in Charge of Administration at the Infantry Centre and School, Commander 401 Special Forces Brigade, Borno, and Public Relations Officer for the Nigerian Contingent to the UN Assistance Mission in Rwanda.

He also served as Public Relations Officer to a former Chief of Army Staff, and later as a directing staff and Chief Instructor at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji.

Uba was seconded to the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, as the Defence Headquarters Training Team Leader, where he trained customs officers in command and staff duties.

He also served as Deputy Director, Peacekeeping Operations, and Director, Personnel Services, at the Army Headquarters, before becoming Director, Department of Joint Studies, AFCSC, Jaji.

A recipient of numerous awards, Uba holds the Grand Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Field Command Medal, Passed Staff Course (Double Dagger ++), National Defence College (Bangladesh) medal, Nigerian Army Outstanding Tactical Command Medal, and Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award Medal.

He is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Nigerian Institute of Management, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, and Nigerian Society of International Affairs.

Brig.-Gen. Uba is married with children and enjoys playing squash and reading.

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