[1] Brigadier Ikwue was the fifth Commander of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the third indigenous to hold the post.

On secondment to the NAF, Ikwue underwent an air force indoctrination and orientation training in Germany between 1963 and 1964.

On return from Germany, he was appointed as Senior Air Officer Administration at HQ NAF, Lagos in 1965 with a German as his adviser.

In 1969, Ikwue was recalled and appointed the fifth commander of the NAF and member of the Supreme Military and Federal Executive Councils.

He was also the chairman, Board of Directors, Ashaka Cement Plc (a subsidiary of LaFarge SA Paris) until 2012.