Nigeria’s newly appointed Ambassador to the Philippines, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.), has formally commenced his diplomatic assignment in Manila after presenting his Letters of Credence to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Ibas presented his credentials to Marcos at Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, marking the official beginning of his tenure as Nigeria’s envoy to the Southeast Asian country.
The diplomatic engagement also opened discussions on strengthening cooperation between Nigeria and the Philippines, particularly in areas such as energy, trade, investment and other sectors of mutual interest.
Marcos expressed his administration’s interest in deepening bilateral ties with Nigeria during Ibas’ tenure, with both sides identifying opportunities to expand practical cooperation and generate greater economic benefits.
Ibas brings decades of military and public-service experience to the diplomatic assignment.
The retired Vice Admiral served as the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff of Nigeria from 2015 to 2021. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1979 and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1983 before holding several senior command and strategic positions in the Nigerian Navy.
After leaving active military service, Ibas moved into diplomacy, serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana between 2021 and 2023.
He later returned to the centre of Nigeria’s public administration in 2025 when he was appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State during the period of federal emergency administration.
His transition from military leadership to diplomacy and public administration places him in a position to draw on experience in security, international relations and governance as he represents Nigeria in Manila.
Nigeria and the Philippines established diplomatic relations on August 1, 1962, and the two countries are expected to mark 65 years of bilateral ties in 2027.
The upcoming anniversary could provide an opportunity for both governments to expand cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic engagement, particularly in trade, investment, energy, education, culture and people-to-people relations.
Ibas’ new posting comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to strengthen economic partnerships and attract investment while the Philippines continues to deepen its engagement with African countries.
His appointment could therefore give greater attention to the economic and strategic dimensions of Nigeria-Philippines relations as the two nations prepare to commemorate more than six decades of diplomatic ties.
