| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Brigadier-General Samaila Mohammed Uba (often reported as M. Uba) |
| Date of birth | 1 July 1968 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 57 |
| State of origin | Kano State (Tudun Wada, Nassarawa LGA) |
| Tribe | Hausa (commonly reported; from Kano) |
| Education | B.A. Mass Communication (Bayero University, Kano); NDA Short Service Combatant Course 30 |
| Notable roles | Commander, 25 Task Force Brigade; Director of Defence Information (DDI) — appointed Nov 2025 |
| Professional honours | Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR) |
| Marital status | Not publicly disclosed |
| Net worth | Not publicly disclosed / no verifiable estimates |
Who is Brigadier-General M. Uba?
Brigadier-General Samaila Mohammed Uba — commonly referred to in media as Brig-Gen M. Uba — is a senior officer in the Nigerian Army who rose to national attention as both a frontline brigade commander and, recently, as the military’s Director of Defence Information. Across a long career he has combined field leadership with communication expertise, earning recognition as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
Early life and state of origin
Multiple profiles report that Brig-Gen Uba was born on 1 July 1968 in Tudun Wada, which is in the Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State. That places his state of origin as Kano and situates his background in northern Nigeria — an area with deep military and administrative traditions. His cultural and community roots are widely reported to be Hausa, consistent with the region.
Education and military training
Uba’s formal education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano — a qualification that later supported his postings in military public relations. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy through the Short Service Combatant Course 30 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in March 1993. Early assignments included the Directorate of Army Public Relations before he moved full-time into the Infantry Corps and various command and staff roles..
Career highlights and leadership roles
Over the years Brig-Gen Uba has held a mixture of field-facing command appointments and staff positions tied to military communications. Before his appointment to the Defence Headquarters, he commanded the 25 Task Force Brigade, a frontline formation conducting counter-insurgency operations in Borno State and nearby theatres. In November 2025, he was appointed Director of Defence Information (DDI) — the uniformed military’s principal media and public-information officer — taking over from Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau. In this role he emphasized transparency, timeliness and digital engagement as priorities.
The Wajiroko ambush and conflicting reports (November 2025)
In mid-November 2025 the name M. Uba entered wider international headlines after an ambush near Wajiroko village in Borno State. ISWAP (an Islamic State-aligned faction) released claims that fighters had captured and executed a brigadier general following the attack. The Islamic State-affiliated Al-Amaq agency and several militant channels circulated that assertion. However, the Nigerian Army publicly disputed and called such reports false, asking the public to disregard unverified narratives. Independent news agencies covered the contradiction between militant statements and official denials. Given the fog of conflict, multiple outlets cautioned that reports were still being verified.
Personal life — wife and family
Public records and press profiles around Brig-Gen Uba focus heavily on his military career and professional qualifications. As of November 2025 his marital status and details about a spouse are not publicly disclosed in reputable news or official biographies. That means there are no verified, reliable public sources stating the name of a wife or family details suitable for publication. Out of respect for privacy and accuracy, reputable outlets avoid speculation.
Net worth — what’s known?
No verifiable public records, disclosures, or credible investigative reports provide a trustworthy net-worth figure for Brig-Gen M. Uba. Military officers’ personal finances are typically private unless published via official disclosure or audited investigations. Any website or social post offering precise net-worth estimates should be treated skeptically unless it cites solid documentary evidence.
Why Brig-Gen Uba matters
Uba represents a modern trend in militaries worldwide: field commanders who also command public narratives. His mix of communications training and frontline experience made him a logical choice to lead the Defence Information Directorate at a time when armed forces operate under intense public and media scrutiny. The November 2025 Wajiroko incident — and the speed of conflicting claims around it — illustrated precisely why military communication is as strategically important as battlefield maneuvers.
FAQs
Q: What is Brig-Gen M. Uba’s full name?
A: He is widely reported as Brigadier-General Samaila Mohammed Uba (often shortened in headlines to M. Uba).
Q: Where is he from?
A: He is from Tudun Wada, Nassarawa LGA, Kano State — Kano State is cited as his state of origin.
Q: How old is he?
A: Born 1 July 1968, he is 57 years old in 2025.
Q: Is he the Director of Defence Information?
A: Yes — he assumed the role in early November 2025 following a handover ceremony at Defence Headquarters.
Q: Was Brig-Gen Uba killed or passed away in November 2025?
A: In mid-November 2025 militant channels claimed they had captured and executed a brigadier general after an ambush near Wajiroko. The Nigerian Army publicly denied the claim and urged the public to disregard unverified reports. Independent outlets reported both the militant statement and the Army’s denial; the situation was fluid and being verified. Readers should rely on reputable outlets and official military statements for confirmed updates.
Q: What is his net worth and who is his wife?
A: Neither his net worth nor spouse details are publicly disclosed in reputable sources as of November 2025. Any claim otherwise should be treated with caution.
Conclusion
Brigadier-General Samaila Mohammed Uba is a senior Nigerian Army officer whose profile blends frontline command experience with communications expertise. Born in Kano State and trained both academically in mass communication and militarily at the Nigerian Defence Academy, he rose through roles in public relations and infantry command. His appointment as Director of Defence Information in November 2025 placed him at the center of how the military communicates with Nigerians and the world. The Wajiroko ambush and the conflicting claims that followed underscore the information-age challenges of reporting in conflict zones — and why clear, verified communication matters. For personal details such as net worth or family, there are no verifiable public disclosures; reputable reporting limits itself to what can be confirmed.
