Captain Kelechi Ndukwe, a Nigerian-American, has made history by becoming the first Nigerian to command a United States Navy warship. His promotion to Captain is a significant milestone in a distinguished 20-year career with the US Navy.
Previously, Ndukwe commanded the USS Halsey (DDG-97), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, from 2021. This role marked him as the first Nigerian-American to lead such a prestigious vessel. His journey began in 2003 as an auxiliaries officer, following his master’s degree in national security and strategy studies from the US Naval War College.
Ndukwe’s service includes commanding the USS Devastator (MCM 6), a minesweeper stationed in Bahrain, and deployments across various global locations such as the Mediterranean Sea, Horn of Africa, Arabian Gulf, and Western Pacific Ocean.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), commended Ndukwe’s achievement, highlighting it as a point of pride for the Nigerian-American community. His promotion underscores the growing contributions of Nigerians in the US military and reflects a broader narrative of cross-border success.