Mike Akhigbe

Mike Okhai Akhigbe (September 29, 1946 - October 13, 2013) was a Vice Admiral in the Nigerian Navy who served as de facto Vice President of Nigeria (as Chief of General Staff) during the General Abdusalami Abubakar led military government from 1998 till the termination of military government in Nigeria, in 1999. He served as Military Governor of Nigeria's Ondo State from 1985 to 1986, and Military Governor of Lagos State from 1986 to 1988, after which he was appointed Chief of Naval Staff, the highest-ranking officer of the Nigerian Navy, and subsequently the Chief of General Staff, the highest-ranking military officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Armed forces. He died in the USA on 28 October 2013 after suffering from cancer for a few years.

Early life and education

Akhigbe was born on September 29, 1946, in Fugar, Aviawu clan in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State. and was educated at Afenmai Anglican Grammar School, Igarra from 1961 to 1965. He attended the Nigerian Defence Academy, Royal Naval School of Maritime Operations Dryad, Southwick UK, Command and Staff College Jaji, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru, University of Poitiers, Rouan, France, and the International Defense Management Program at the Naval Postgraduate School, in California, USA.