Captain Kelechi Ndukwe Becomes First Nigerian To Command US Navy War Ship

Kelechi Ndukwe, a Nigerian-American, has been promoted to the rank of Navy Captain from Commander, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Ndukwe is the first Nigerian to command a US Navy warship, achieving this new role as the pinnacle of his over 20-year service in the US Navy.

Ndukwe’s naval career began in 2003 after earning a master’s degree in national security and strategy studies from the US Naval War College. His first command was the USS Devastator (MCM 6), a minesweeper stationed in Bahrain, from 2013 to 2015. In 2021, he took over as the commanding officer of the USS Halsey (DDG-97), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, succeeding DeVere J. Crooks.

His service includes roles such as weapons officer and combat systems officer on the USS Fitzgerald in Yokosuka, Japan, and as a navy congressional liaison officer in Washington DC. Ndukwe has also served as the fire control officer on the USS Normandy and the auxiliaries officer on the USS Thorn.

Graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2002, Ndukwe has worked in the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), the highest-ranking military officer in the US.

His promotion has been celebrated by peers and officials. Segun Victor Agunbiade announced on X (formerly Twitter): “Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the newest US Navy Captain Kelechi Ndukwe. The first Nigerian to command a US Navy warship! Congratulations on your promotion Captain! Well deserved!!!”

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), also extended her congratulations: “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.”