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Kelechi Ndukwe, the first Nigerian-American to command the US Navy War Ship, has been promoted to the rank of Captain.
His promotion took place in Millington, Tennesse on Thursday, marking the pinnacle of his 21-year career in the US Navy.
This event follows his appointment in 2021 as the Commanding Officer of the USS Halsey (DDG-97), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, a first of its kind from a Nigerian national.
Ndukwe is an alumnus of the University of Notre Dame and the US Naval War College, starting in the Navy as an auxiliary officer in 2003, a year after obtaining his master’s degree in national security and strategy studies from the College.
He has also served in various other roles such as; weapons officer and combat systems officer of USS Fitzgerald in Yokosuka, Japan, from June 2010 to December 2011; as a navy congressional liaison officer in Washington DC, from July 2006 to August 2008.
He also served as the fire control officer of USS Normandy in Norfolk, from 2004 to 2006; and auxiliaries officer of USS Thorn, also in Norfolk, from 2003 to 2004.
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Meanwhile, confirming his promotion, Segun Victor Agunbiade on X (formerly Twitter) @segunvictor73 said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the newest US Navy Captain Kelechi Ndukwe. The first Nigerian to have a command of US Navy War Ship! Congratulations on your promotion Captain! Well deserved!!!”
However, the chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa in her congratulatory message said, “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 #ProudlyNigerian.”
