Tinubu mourns first African UN peacekeeping military adviser, Obiakor

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday mourned the passing of Lieutenant General Chikadibia Obiakor (retd.), the first African to serve as the United Nations Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations, and the first to hold that role with the concurrent rank of Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described Obiakor as a shining example of Nigerian excellence whose contributions to global peace will endure for generations. Obiakor died at an Abuja hospital on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the age of 75, having reportedly suffered a massive stroke days earlier. Tinubu described Obiakor as an outstanding patriot who devoted his life to serving humanity, peace and national development. President Bola Tinubu. Photo: State House “General Obiakor’s leadership in various peacekeeping missions and his commitment to conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction across several regions of the world helped strengthen the reputation of the Nigerian Armed Forces on the global stage. “He was a shining example of Nigerian excellence. He served our nation with distinction and carried the banner of Africa with dignity in the international arena,” the President said. Born on February 18, 1951, in Zaria, Kaduna State, Obiakor traced his roots to Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. He attended the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, before joining the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1971 as a member of the 10th Regular Course. He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1973 and rose steadily through the ranks, serving in several strategic military and peacekeeping roles within and outside Nigeria. On May 28, 2008, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed him Military Adviser for all United Nations peacekeeping operations worldwide, at a time when the UN’s peacekeeping numbers and responsibilities were at an all-time high. Related News Army foils kidnap attempt in Kogi, kills terrorist, seizes weapons Ogene wins NDC’s Reps ticket Tinubu’s weight-loss programme three years later He was tasked with advising on all military issues in the context of UN peacekeeping, which then deployed more than 110,000 personnel in conflict zones globally. In that capacity, Obiakor became the first military adviser to the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations to simultaneously hold the rank of Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. He served in that position until September 2, 2010. Prior to his appointment, Obiakor served as Force Commander of the United Nati