John Nmadu Yisa-Doko

John Nmadu Yisa-Doko
Air Vice-Marshal John Yisa-Doko in 1979
Chief of Air Staff
In office 1975–1980
Preceded by	Brig. E. Ikwue
Succeeded by	AVM. A.D. Bello
Personal details
Born	1942 (age 74–75) Doko, Niger State, Nigeria
Died	Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Awards	Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON), Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR)
Military service
Nickname(s)	Giwa
Allegiance	Nigeria
Service/branch	Nigerian Air Force
Years of service	1962-1980
Rank	Air Vice-Marshal
Commands	Nigerian Air Force
Battles/wars	Nigerian Civil War

Air Vice-Marshal John Nmadu Yisa-Doko, GCON, CFR (born 1942) was Nigerian Air Force's Chief of the Air Staff from 1975 to 1980. Air Vice Marshal Yisa-Doko was appointed in July 1975, he was the first Air Vice Marshal and Indigenous Chief of Air Staff of the Nigerian Air Force . He retired in April 1980.

The emergence of Air Vice Marshal John Nmadu Yisa-Doko can be said to have signalled the maturation of the NAF. He was not only the first officer of NAF origin to become CAS, but also the first to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal. He was appointed CAS on 29 July 1975.

He was amongst the first batch of pilots recruited to serve in the newly formed Nigerian Air Force, and was sent to Ethiopia for training as a pilot. He was given command over the first air platoon formed, when the German technical assistance team had concluded their mission to form the NAF.

He played an active part during the Nigerian Civil War as Officer Commanding NAF flying wing, and then as the senior officer in charge of operations.

Air Vice Marshal Yisa-Doko started his education at St. Peter’s School, Doko in 1947 before moving to St. John’s School, Bida in 1951 where he completed his primary school in 1955. After his primary school, he moved to Government College, Kaduna for his secondary education, graduating in 1961. He then moved on to the Federal Emergency Science School, Lagos in 1962.

He enrolled into the NAF as a cadet in 1962 and was one of the pioneer officer cadets sent to the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force for pilot training between 1962 and 1964. On return from Ethiopia, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1964.

His other military service training includes:

He served in various capacities as his career progressed including the following:

Between 1975 and 1979 Air Vice Marshal Yisa-Doko served as a member of the National Council of States, Supreme Military and National Security Councils.

During his tenure as CAS, he initiated the establishment of primary schools in all major NAF formations, the Air Force Military School, Jos, as well as training schools for all NAF primary trade specialties.

He also established the NAF operational bases at Makurdi and Kainji, the NAF Regiment, NAF Junior Command and Staff School and the Air Faculty at the Command and Staff College, Jaji.

He established the NAF Technical Training School Kaduna, to service the technical training needs of the Service.

It was also during his tenure that the current NAF rank structure was introduced. Before retiring, he initiated the proposal for the presentation of Service colours to the NAF.