A Nigerian-American, Kelechi Ndukwe, has been appointed Commander in the United States of America Navy, after being promoted to the rank of Navy Captain. This makes him the first Nigerian to command a US Navy warship
Ndukwe, who hails from Item in Abia State, joined the US Navy in 2003 after earning a master’s degree in National Security and Strategy Studies from the US Naval War College.
He was first appointed to command the USS Devastator (MCM 6), a minesweeper stationed in Bahrain, and served from 2013 to 2015.
In 2021, Ndukwe took over as the commanding officer of the USS Halsey (DDG-97), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, succeeding DeVere J. Crooks.
He had served as weapons officer and combat systems officer on the USS Fitzgerald in Yokosuka, Japan, and as a navy congressional liaison officer in Washington DC.
Ndukwe has also served as the fire control officer on the USS Normandy and the auxiliaries officer on the USS Thorn.
He first graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2002, and has worked in the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), the highest-ranking military officer in the US.
Celebrating Ndukwe’s promotion and appointment, a Nigerian, Segun Victor Agunbiade, said on X (formerly Twitter): “Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the newest US Navy Captain Kelechi Ndukwe. The first Nigerian to command a US Navy warship! Congratulations on your promotion Captain! Well deserved!!!”
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on her part, extended her congratulations, saying: “A hearty congratulations to Navy Captain Kelechi R. Ndukwe who has been promoted to the rank of Navy Captain from Commander in the US Navy. He is the first Nigerian American to command a US warship.”
