By Ayo Ayodele
Following the recent reorganisation in the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Brigadier General Samaila Mohammed Uba has officially assumed duty as the new Director of Defence Information (DDI). He took over from Brigadier General Tukur Gusau in a brief but colourful handover ceremony held on Tuesday, 4th November 2025, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
In his inaugural address, Brig Gen Uba pledged to uphold four strategic priorities in managing the Defence Headquarters’ public communication. These, he said, include Unity of Purpose, Timeliness and Transparency, Digital Innovation, and Media Collaboration.
He commended his predecessor, Brig Gen Gusau, for his modest achievements during his tenure and wished him success in his future endeavours.
Born on 1st July 1968 in Tudun Wada, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, Brig Gen Uba began his military career at the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of Short Service Combatant Course 30. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 13th March 1993 and initially posted to the Directorate of Army Public Relations before being redeployed to the Infantry Corps.
A distinguished scholar-soldier, Brig Gen Uba holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano (1990), a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (2009), and a Master’s Degree in Strategic and Development Studies from the Bangladesh University of Professionals (2019).
He has attended several professional and military courses, including the Senior Staff Course at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Bangladesh.
Over the course of his illustrious career, Brig Gen Uba has held several key command, staff, and instructional appointments. These include Commander, 401 Special Forces Brigade, Cross Kauwa, Borno State, where he successfully denied ISWAP and JAS terrorists freedom of action while maintaining strong civil-military relations.
He has also served as Public Relations Officer to a former Chief of Army Staff, Contingent PRO for the Nigerian Contingent in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda, and Chief Instructor at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.
Prior to his new appointment, Brig Gen Uba was the Director of the Department of Joint Studies at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.
A recipient of numerous awards and decorations, including the Grand Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Field Command Medal, and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award, Brig Gen Uba is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management, and an Associate Member of the Nigerian Society of International Affairs.
Brig Gen Uba is married and blessed with children. In his leisure time, he enjoys playing squash and reading.