Nigerian-American naval officer Captain Kelechi Ndukwe has achieved another historic milestone with his appointment as Commodore of Destroyer Squadron 60 and Task Force 65, based in Rota, Spain.
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria announced the appointment on Friday through a post on X, praising Ndukwe’s rise in the U.S. Navy as “pure inspiration” and a shining example of #AmericanExcellence.
“Meet Commodore Kelechi Ndukwe, a Nigerian-American making history in the @USNavy,” the post read. “From commanding the USS Halsey as the first Nigerian-American to lead a guided-missile destroyer to now serving as Commodore of Destroyer Squadron 60 & Task Force 65 in Spain, his journey is pure inspiration and a true example of #AmericanExcellence!”
Ndukwe had previously broken barriers in April 2021 when he became the first Nigerian-American to command a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer, the USS Halsey (DDG-97). He was promoted to the rank of Navy Captain in August 2024, as earlier reported by SaharaReporters.
His naval career, spanning over two decades, began in 2003 after earning a master’s degree in national security and strategy studies from the U.S. Naval War College. A 2002 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Ndukwe held several key roles early in his service, including fire control officer aboard the USS Normandy between 2004 and 2006 and auxiliaries officer on the USS Thorn from 2003 to 2004.
He also previously commanded the USS Devastator (MCM 6), a minesweeper stationed in Bahrain, from 2013 to 2015. Before taking command of the USS Halsey, he served as its executive officer.
Beyond shipboard assignments, Ndukwe has worked in the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—the highest military advisory position in the United States.
His new role as Commodore represents the peak of an illustrious naval journey and further cements his legacy as one of the most accomplished Nigerian-Americans in the U.S. military.
