Okhai Michael Akhigbe GCON (29 September 1946 – 28 October 2013)[1] was a vice admiral of the Nigerian Navy[2] who served as de facto vice president of Nigeria (as Chief of General Staff) under military head of state General Abdusalami Abubakar from June 1998 to May 1999,[3] when the military government was terminated and replaced by the Fourth Nigerian Republic.

[1] Akhigbe was born on September 29, 1946, in Fugar, Aviawu clan in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State and was educated at Afenmai Anglican Grammar School, Igarra from 1961 to 1965.

[4] He attended the Nigerian Defence Academy, Royal Naval School of Maritime Operations Dryad, Southwick UK, Command and Staff College Jaji, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru, University of Poitiers, Rouen, France, and the International Defense Management Program at the Naval Postgraduate School, in California, United States.

Admiral Okhai Michael Akhigbe is remembered for his numerous services to his community and nation, especially his role during the transition from military to civilian rule in 1999 when he was the Chief of General Staff to Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar.

He brought the administrative headquarters of Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State Nigeria to Fugar City.