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Captain Kelechi Ndukwe, a Nigerian-American, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Nigerian to command a United States Navy warship.

Kelechi Ndukwe makes history as first Nigerian to command US Navy Warship | Pulse Nigeria

Segun Adeyemi

<h2>Captain Kelechi Ndukwe, a Nigerian-American, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Nigerian to command a United States Navy warship.</h2>

<p>Promoted from the rank of Commander to Captain, Ndukwe's new role is the culmination of a distinguished 20-year career in the US Navy.</p>

<p>In 2021, Ndukwe took command of the USS Halsey (DDG-97), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, making him the first Nigerian-American to lead such a prestigious vessel.</p>

<p>His journey to this zenith began in 2003 when he started as an auxiliaries officer, shortly after earning a master's degree in national security and strategy studies from the US Naval War College.</p>

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<p><em>"This is a significant achievement, not just for Captain Ndukwe but also for the Nigerian-American community," </em>said<strong> Segun Victor Agunbiade,</strong> a fellow Nigerian US Navy officer, in a congratulatory message shared on X (formerly Twitter).</p>

<h3><strong>Captain Ndukwe's profile</strong></h3>

<p>Before his current command, Ndukwe had already established himself as a leader within the Navy.</p>

<p>From 2013 to 2015, he commanded the USS Devastator (MCM 6), a minesweeper stationed in Bahrain.</p>

<p>His extensive service record includes deployments on multiple warships across the Mediterranean Sea, Horn of Africa, Arabian Gulf, and Western Pacific Ocean.</p>

<p><strong>READ ALSO: </strong><a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/metro/nigerian-us-navy-sailor-falls-off-warship-in-red-sea/mk5qyp9"><strong>Nigerian US Navy sailor falls off warship in Red Sea</strong></a></p>

<h3><strong>FG hails Captain Ndukwe</strong></h3>

<p><strong>Abike Dabiri-Erewa,</strong> Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), praised Ndukwe's accomplishment, stating, <em>"A hearty congratulations to Navy Captain Kelechi R Ndukwe. He is the first Nigerian American to command a US warship. #ProudlyNigerian."</em></p>

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PRESS STATEMENT<br><br>NiDCOM BOSS HAILS NAVY CAPTAIN KELECHI ON HIS PROMOTION<br><br>Abuja, August 30, 2024:<br>Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has congratulated Kelechi Ndukwe on his new promotion as a Navy Captain of the US Navy.<a href="https://twitter.com/NigeriaGov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NigeriaGov</a> <a href="https://t.co/rJZGDDWYRU">pic.twitter.com/rJZGDDWYRU</a></p>&mdash; Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (@nidcom_gov) <a href="https://twitter.com/nidcom_gov/status/1829488894754406746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<p>Captain Ndukwe's promotion and command represent a significant achievement, reflecting the growing contributions of Nigerians in the US military and beyond.</p>

From 2013 to 2015, he commanded the USS Devastator (MCM 6), a minesweeper stationed in Bahrain. [X, formerly Twitter]

Kelechi Ndukwe makes history as first Nigerian to command US Navy Warship

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