Meet Brig Gen Samaila Uba, new Director of Defence Information

Brigadier General Samaila Mohammed Uba has officially assumed office as the new Director of Defence Information (DDI) following the latest reorganisation within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

He succeeded Brigadier General Tukur Gusau at a brief handover ceremony held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

In his remarks, Brig Gen Uba pledged to focus his tenure on four key pillars — unity of purpose, timeliness and transparency, digital innovation, and stronger media collaboration. He commended his predecessor for his “modest achievements” and wished him success in future endeavours.

Born on July 1, 1968, in Tudun Wada, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, Uba began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of Short Service Combatant Course 30. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on March 13, 1993, and initially served in the Directorate of Army Public Relations before transferring to the Infantry Corps.

A versatile officer and scholar, Uba holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano; a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration; and a Master’s degree in Strategic and Development Studies from the Bangladesh University of Professionals.

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

Throughout his distinguished career, Brig Gen Uba has held several command, staff, and instructional positions. He notably commanded the 401 Special Forces Brigade in Borno State, where he played a vital role in curbing ISWAP/JAS terrorist activities and enhancing civil-military relations.

He also served as Public Relations Officer to a former Chief of Army Staff, Contingent PRO for Nigeria’s UN peacekeeping mission in Rwanda, and an instructor at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.

Uba later headed the Defence Headquarters Training Team at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, and subsequently served as Deputy Director of Peacekeeping Operations and Director of Personnel Services at Army Headquarters. Before his new appointment, he was the Director of Joint Studies at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.

The new Defence spokesman has earned several decorations, including the Grand Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Field Command Medal, Passed Staff Course (Dagger), and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.

He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, and the Nigerian Society of International Affairs.