President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to retired Lieutenant General Chikadibia Obiakor, the first African to serve as United Nations Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations and the first to concurrently hold the position of Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described Obiakor as a distinguished patriot whose contributions to global peacekeeping, conflict resolution and national development would remain enduring.
Obiakor reportedly died on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at an Abuja hospital at the age of 75 following complications from a massive stroke.
The President said the late officer distinguished himself through exceptional service to Nigeria and the international community.
“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,” Tinubu said.
Born on February 18, 1951, in Zaria, Kaduna State, Obiakor hailed from Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He attended the Nigerian Military School before joining the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1971 as part of the 10th Regular Course, and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1973.
In 2008, he was appointed by then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as Military Adviser for all UN peacekeeping operations globally, during a period when the organisation managed over 110,000 peacekeepers worldwide.
He had earlier served as Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia and also commanded the ECOMOG Artillery Brigade during the Liberian civil conflict, where he played a key role in stabilisation efforts and election support.
After retiring from the Nigerian Army in 2011, Obiakor continued to serve in international assignments, including leading UN inquiry panels on conflicts and humanitarian incidents in South Sudan, Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The United Nations also paid tribute to him, with spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric extending condolences to his family, the Nigerian government and the global peacekeeping community.
Tinubu also extended condolences to the late general’s family, the people of Anambra State, the Nigerian Armed Forces and the international community, praying for the repose of his soul.
