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LIEUTENANT GENERAL GIBSON SANDA JALO

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Early life and education

He was born on 1 March 1939 (some sources say 1938) at Demsa in present-day Adamawa State (formerly Adamawa Province, British Northern Nigeria).

He hailed from a royal family of the Batta people: his father was the late Hama Batta, Chief Zaro (Jalo) Kpanti, Paramount Ruler of Demsa.

For his schooling:

Numan Elementary School, Adamawa Province (1946-1950)

Yola Middle School, Adamawa Province (1951-1952)

Government College, Keffi (1953-1958)

After his secondary education, he enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1959.

He underwent officer cadet training: one account says he attended the Regular Officers Course in Ghana (Teshie) and then the Mons Officer Cadet School (UK) in 1960.

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Military career and progression

Commissioned into the Nigerian Army in October/November 1960 as a 2nd Lieutenant.

Promotion timeline (approximate):

Lieutenant: 7 April 1962

Captain: 20 September 1964

Major: 10 June 1967

Lieutenant Colonel: 11 May 1968

Colonel: 1 April 1970

Brigadier General: 1 October 1973

Major General: 1 January 1976

Lieutenant General: 15 April 1980

Key appointments and commands:

During the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), he served in 2nd Division and eventually took command of it.

He was Commander, Lagos Garrison (1971-1972) according to one source.

He was Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) from August 1975 to January 1978 in one source.

He also served as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3rd Infantry Division (later 3rd Armoured Division) in Jos.

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Senior leadership: COAS & CDS

He became Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Nigerian Army in April 1980, succeeding Ipoola Alani Akinrinade. He held that post until October 1981.

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Subsequently, he became Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Nigeria, taking office around 2 October 1981, and served until December 1983.

As CDS he was the head of the Nigerian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force) and a key member of the military leadership during the latter part of the Second Republic era.

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Honours, legacy & character

He was conferred national service awards: CFR (Commander of the Federal Republic) and FSS (Force Service Star).

According to sources, his hobbies included field hockey and football; he was reportedly known on the football pitch as “7 Miles” in earlier days.

His leadership during the civil war and subsequent senior roles solidified his place among Nigeria’s senior military officers of his generation.

One commentary pointed out that his appointment as COAS in 1980 came at a time when the North-East zone (his region) had produced senior military officers, thus contributing to regional representation in the senior military.

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Later life and death

He retired from the military in ~1984 (some sources say end of 1983) after his service as CDS.

In later life he engaged in private sector roles: chairman and non-executive director positions in various companies (e.g., Société Bancaire Nigeria Limited; Mix & Bake Flour Mills; Sea Trucks Group Nigeria; Jason Oilfield Ventures Ltd).

He died on 10 January 2000 in London, United Kingdom.

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Significance & contextual note

His rise to the very top of the Nigerian military at a time of significant political change (transition from military to civilian rule and back) situates him in a critical era of Nigeria’s history.

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As CDS until December 1983, his tenure overlapped with major events in Nigeria including changes in government, and the build-up of military capacities.

His background from Adamawa (north‐east) and his ascent reflect the evolving regional and ethnic dynamics of Nigerian military leadership.

His service during the civil war (in 2nd Division) places him among those senior officers shaped by that conflict, which remains central to Nigeria’s modern military history.

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VIDEO: I’m Married But Not In My Husband’s House; I Didn’t Have The Experience Of Living Happily Ever After – Singer Shola Allyson Reveals

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December 7, 2025

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While speaking about her love life, the 54-year-old who came into limelight with a love album ‘Eji Owuro’, revealed that she is married but not living with her husband.

Sola Allyson, the popular Nigerian gospel singer, has revealed that she is not currently living with her husband.

The musician made this known in her latest interview on Oyinmomo TV.

While speaking about her love life, the 54-year-old who came into limelight with a love album ‘Eji Owuro’, revealed that she is married but not living with her husband.

Sharing her marital experience, the singer said she has never enjoyed the kind of happiness many people describe.

“I’m married, but I’m not in my husband’s house. We live separately. He in his house and I in mine.”

The interviewer asked: “You sang ‘Eji Owuro’, did you experience genuine love from your husband?

She replied, “We lied before. Those older than us didn’t inform us that it’s tough. They made us believe that so long as you both love each other, you will live happily ever after, but it’s a lie.

“That’s not the experience I have. I didn’t have the experience of living happily ever after. I did all I could to make it work.

“Marriage has been a big challenge. I hear people talk about joy in marriage, but I have never experienced it.”

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VIDEO: Shola Allyson Finally Opens Up, Reveals Why She Does Not Reference Jesus In Her Songs

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54 minutes ago

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December 7, 2025

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Recall that Allyson, who is regarded as a gospel singer, was dragged on social media in March 2025 for not directly referencing ‘Jesus’ in all her songs.

Shola Allyson, the renowned Nigerian songstress, has opened up on the real reason she avoids mentioning the name of Jesus in all her songs.

Recall that Allyson, who is regarded as a gospel singer, was dragged on social media in March 2025 for not directly referencing ‘Jesus’ in all her songs.

Reacting to her critics in a post on X, the songstress stated that “No one can bully me into joining their darkness that looks like light because indolent souls find comfort in it”.

Finally revealing her reason for not mentioning Jesus in her songs, Shola Allyson on Saturday during her latest interview on Oyinmomo TV, stated that Jesus did not ask her to do PR for him.

She said “I’m not a religious singer. As I am, I have never introduced myself as a gospel singer. My name is Shola Allyson. I’m a singer”.

Interviewer; “Some people said you don’t mention ‘Jesus’ name’ in all your songs”.

She quickly responded “Jesus did not instruct us to mention his name in songs nor did Jesus ask us to do PR for Him”.

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I Have Never Been Asked For S€x For Roles – Nigerian Actress, Bisola Aiyeola Opens Up

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December 7, 2025

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Speaking at a recent event, a clip of which was shared on YouTube, Bisola stated that she has never been asked for s*x to feature in any movie project.

Media personality and actress Bisola Aiyeola has opened up about her experiences with the issue of s*x-for-roles in the movie industry.

Speaking at a recent event, a clip of which was shared on YouTube, Bisola stated that she has never been asked for s*x to feature in any movie project.

The mother of one spoke against the backdrop of challenges faced by actors and crew members, noting that s*xual harassment is one of many major problems experienced on the job.

Before now, aspiring performers have reported experiencing unwanted s*xual advances, often in the form of “s*x-for-roles” propositions from male directors and producers who hold positions of power.

However, Aiyeola said this has never been her experience as her talent has been enough to secure her a place in movie projects.

According to her, “Thankfully, I’ve never been asked for s*x for roles. There are some of us that it has never happened to, so I don’t have a personal story about it. My talent has always spoken for me and is still speaking for me.”

She highlighted that physical harassment, irregular working hours, and lack of health insurance, among others, also constitute challenges on the job, noting that s*xual harassment has been given disproportionate relevance.

“It feels like when we’re only talking about s*x for roles, we shelve all other major issues that also happen in the industry,” Aiyeola stressed.

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