PROFILE OF CAPTAIN (NAVY) LAWRENCE KAPINA JABATI– CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF SIERRA LEONE NAVY
Captain (Navy) LK Jabati is the Current Chief of Naval Staff of the Sierra Leone Navy. He was commissioned on 22 May 1999 at the Nigeria Defence Academy, and joined the Sierra Leone Navy in August 2001. He has a solid educational background, holding a Bsc (Honors) in Geology from FBC, a Master of Science in Environmental Management and Quality Control from Njala University, and a Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King's College London.
His military training includes several prestigious staff courses. He completed the Advanced Command and Staff Course at the Joint Services Command and Staff College in Shrivenham, UK, and the Senior Staff Course at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Teshie, Accra. He also attended the Junior Staff Course at both the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College and Horton Command and Staff College.
He has gained various maritime qualifications through specialized courses. These include the Head of Navigation Course in Dalian, PR China, the International Sub Lieutenant Course at the Maritime Warfare School, HMS Collingwood, in Fareham, UK, and the International Maritime Officers Course in Yorktown, Virginia, USA. Other notable courses include the Tactical Operations Planning Course in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and the National Incident Management System Course at the Coastguard Training Centre in Yorktown, USA.
In addition to these courses, he has participated in several military seminars, such as the one on the Strategic Implications of Climate Change organized by US AFRICOM in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, in July 2024. He also took part in a Strategic Assessment and Advisory Visit to Sri Lanka in March 2023 representing MINUSMA.
His professional development continued with various other courses, including the 5th Training of Trainers Course for Command Post Exercise in Entebbe, Uganda, and the United Nations Staff Officers Course in Accra, Ghana. He also completed the Junior Officer’s Tactical Awareness Course at the Land Warfare Centre in Warminster, UK, and the International Partner Security Cooperation Finance and Logistics Course at the United States Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.
Throughout his career, he has held several important appointments. He served as the Director of Defence Personnel at the Ministry of Defence, the Chief Instructor at the Horton Military Academy in Freetown, and the Chief Logistics Officer at the Joint Force Command Headquarters in Cockerill, Freetown. He has also worked as the Executive Officer and Navigating Officer for Patrol Boat 105 (PB 105) Sir Milton and acted as the Commanding Officer of the Sierra Leone Navy.
In recognition of his dedication and service, he received the UN Medal as a military member of MINUSMA, and a specially appreciation letter to reflect his involvement in international peacekeeping efforts.
His operational experience includes participating in missions such as MINUSMA in Mali, the Civil War in Sierra Leone, Operation Barass in Sierra Leone, and Exercise Saharan Express in Dakar, Senegal, in 2014.
At his leisure, he enjoys playing football, running and other sporting activities. The senior officer is married and the union is blessed with three children.
Capt (N) LK Jabati
chief of naval staff