In a move signaling renewed focus on openness and innovation in military communication, Brigadier General Samaila Mohammed Uba has assumed duty as the new Director of Defence Information (DDI) at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, following the recent reorganisation within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He formally took over from Brigadier General Tukur Gusau in a brief ceremony held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, pledging to uphold professionalism while strengthening public trust in the military through transparency, timeliness, digital innovation, and strategic media collaboration.
Brigadier General Uba commended his predecessor for his modest achievements and assured that his tenure would build on the solid foundation already laid, guided by what he described as “unity of purpose and integrity in information management.”
Born on July 1, 1968, in Tudun Wada, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, the new Defence spokesperson began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of Short Service Combatant Course 30. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on March 13, 1993, and initially served at the Directorate of Army Public Relations before being redeployed to the Infantry Corps.
An erudite officer and scholar, Brigadier General 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 is a graduate of 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 his illustrious career, Brigadier General Uba has held key command, staff, and instructional appointments, including Commander, 401 Special Forces Brigade in Borno State, where he led successful counter-insurgency operations against ISWAP/JAS terrorists while maintaining strong civil-military cooperation with host communities.
He also served as Public Relations Officer to a former Chief of Army Staff, Contingent PRO to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR), Chief Instructor and Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, and Training Team Leader at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada.
Until his latest appointment, he was the Director, Department of Joint Studies at the AFCSC, Jaji.
The senior officer’s outstanding service has earned him numerous military honours, including the Grand Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Field Command Medal, Passed Staff Course (++), Outstanding Tactical Command Medal, and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.
A Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), he also belongs to the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Nigerian Army Resource Centre, and the Nigerian Society of International Affairs.
Brigadier General Uba is married and blessed with children. In his leisure time, he enjoys playing squash and reading.
