Captain Marcus Onen Abani, born on December 9, 1979, in Ugep, Cross River State, Nigeria, has a rich and varied career spanning academia, military service, and professional development. His educational journey began at Presbyterian Primary School Ugep from 1984 to 1989, followed by Community Secondary School Nko from 1989 to 1994. He then pursued higher education at Cross River University of Science and Technology from 1995 to 1996, and later obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Calabar between 1998 and 2001.
Abani’s military career began at the Nigeria Defense Academy Kaduna from June to September 2003, followed by a post-commission military course at the Nigeria Naval College Onne Portharcourt from 2003 to 2004. He furthered his education with a Basic Accounts and Budget course at the Nigeria Navy Finance and Logistics School from 2007 to 2008, and completed a Junior Staff Course at the Nigeria Armed Forces Command and Staff College in 2008. Abani’s academic pursuits continued with a Masters in International Affairs and Defence Studies (MIADS) from the Nigerian Defence Academy in 2016/2017, followed by an MBA and MSC Accounts from POMA International Business University Benin Republic in 2017-2018 and 2019-2020, respectively. He also earned a Ph.D. in Accounting from IIC University Cambodia from 2016 to 2019, and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from Texila American University Gurana (Universidad Central DE NICARAGUA) from 2019 to 2022.
Throughout his career, Abani has held various positions of responsibility, including Finance Officer at the Nigerian Navy Ship Ofiom from 2003 to 2005, Staff Officer Cash at the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta from 2005 to 2007, and Finance Officer at the Nigerian Navy Medical Centre Borikiri Portharcout from 2007 to 2008. He has also served as an Instructor at the Nigerian Navy School of Finance and Logistics Abia State from 2008 to 2010, and as a Finance Officer at the Nigeria Navy School of Health Science OFFA from 2010 to 2012. Abani’s career highlights also include his role as Deputy Defense Attaché at the Nigeria Embassy Russian Federation Moscow, Staff Officer Accounts HQENC from 2012 to 2016, and as a Staff Officer Grade one at the National Defense College Abuja.
Abani’s professional development is further evidenced by his extensive list of academic qualifications and certificates, including a wide range of specialized certifications in areas such as Project Management, Anti Money Laundering, Forensic Accounting, International Auditing, Risk Management, International Business, Strategic Management, Asset and Liability Management, Corporate Governance, Credit Card and Fraud Detection, Cyber Security, e procurement, Financial Market, Financial Intelligence, and Financial Reporting Council and Audit Regulations.
In addition to his professional achievements, Abani has been recognized for his contributions to the field with numerous awards and decorations, including the Forces Service Star (FSS) and Meritorious Service Star (MSS) from the Nigeria Armed Forces, the Pass Staff Course (PSC) AFCSC JAJI, and the Chief of the Naval Staff Commendation (2013) Award.
Married to Queen Esther Marcusbest Abani, Abani is a father to several children. His hobbies include reading, swimming, traditional wrestling, and observing nature.