Brigadier General Nuhu Bamalli - Nigerian Contingent Commander, UNAMSIL

Nigeria's Brig-Gen Alhaji Nuhu Bamalli was born on October 15, 1954.  He is from Kano State.  He attended the Nigerian Military School in Zaria, from 1968-72 after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy, joining the 14th regular course in July 1973.   He was granted a regular combatant commission in December 1975 in the rank of 2/Lt and received the silver medal as the best Army Cadet.  As a cadet he was the Company Senior Under Officer (CSUO) of the Abyssinia company.

Following commissioning he began a highly distinguished career as a "Vulcan" in the Corps of Artillery.

Military Training

Beginning with the Field and Survey Artillery Officers Cadre, followed by the Artillery Young Officers' Course, he set himself apart right at the beginning. He has almost always topped his class whether at home or abroad.   In 1977 he was named a distinguished allied graduate after the basic Artillery Officer's course at the United States Field Artillery School in Fort Sill Oklahoma.  Shortly thereafter he emerged as an honor graduate of the Communications & Electronics Staff course at the same institution. 

Back home, the pattern continued in subsequent courses, including the Regimental Signals Officers course (in 1978) and junior division Staff College (in 1980).  In 1983 he returned to the United States and attended the Adjutant General Officers Advanced course at Fort Benjamin in Indiana.  In 1984 he was out again, this time to attend the Regimental Survey Officers Course at Deolali in India - where he distinguished himself again. 

In 1985/86 he attended the Ghana Armed Forces Staff College, graduating with a psc (with dagger), followed in 1987 by the Gunnery Staff Course at Nowshera in Pakistan from which he graduated with distinction.  On "Army Day" 1988, he was recognized with the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation Certificate . But it did not end there.

In 1994, he got the COAS and Commandant Infantry Center and School Merit award following his performance during the Commanding Officers Course. Six years later, in 2001, as part of the 9th National War College course, he emerged as the best overall student, bagging the President and Commander-in-Chief Golden Award.  For the best paper in "Land Operations" he got the COAS Award.  For the best paper in "Internal Security" he secured the  Inspector General of Police Award. 

Other Educational Activities

In 1998, the Brigadier graduated with a Post-graduate Diploma in Management from the Federal University of Technology Owerri.  In 1999 he was conferred with an MSc in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the Imo State University Owerri.  In 2002,  he secured an MSc in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan.

Teaching Appointments

As a Captain, he was an Instructor and Company Officer at the NDA from 1979 to 1981, followed thereafter by appointment as the Senior Officer and Cadet Battalion Commander.  From 1994 to 1996, as a Lt. Col., he was a Directing Staff (DS) in the senior division at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. 

Staff Appointments

He has held numerous staff appointments over the years as Training Officer and Adjutant in the 22 Field Artillery regiment, ADC to Artillery Corps Commander (Maj Gen MG Nasko (Rtd)), General Staff Officer Grade 2 (GSO2) Staff Duties and Plans and GSO2 Training and Plans at the Headquarters,  Army Corps of Artillery.

He was also a Staff Officer to then President and C-in-C, General Ibrahim Babangida.  Following the assassination of Lt. Col. UK Bello in April 1990, he became the ADC to the President - a position he held until the President "stepped aside" in August 1993. 

After rotations in command and teaching positions he returned to staff work at the Army HQ Department of Administration as Staff Officer (I) Welfare Services and, subsequently, Colonel  (Personnel Services) from 1996 - 1997.  In September 2001, he was appointed Deputy Director Operations at the Defence HQ.

He has also been privileged to carry out some special staff assignments.  At the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, he was the coordinator of the Curriculum Review Team (CRT).  Most recently he served as the Secretary of the Committee on naming of Military Barracks and Cantonments.

Command Appointments

As a Lieutenant, he served as the Acting 2ic of the 22 Field Artillery Regiment.  As a Captain he served as Battery Commander of the 34 Self-Propelled Artillery Brigade Locating Battery.   As a Lt. Col. he served as the Commanding Officer, 322 Field Artillery Regiment Benin City.  As a Colonel he served as Brigade Commander, 34 Field Artillery Brigade, Owerri.

As a Brigadier-General, he is currently the Sector West Commander/ Nigerian Contingent Commander at the United Nations Mission in Sierra-Leone (UNAMSIL).

Memberships and Decorations 

Brigadier General Bamalli is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (MNIM) and an Associate Member, Institute of Personnel Management of Nigerian (AIPM).  His military decorations include the Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Republic Medal (RM), General Service Medal (GSM), 25th Anniversary (Silver Jubilee) medal, and Commander of the Independence Order of Equatorial Guinea (CIOEG).

This column wishes him and the entire Nigerian contingent in Sierra Leone well in their assignment.