Nigerian-trained Major General Charles Johnson (rtd.) was named Director of the National Security Agency by Liberian President Joseph Boakai on Monday, subject to Senate confirmation.
His resignation as Minister of National Defence occurred months before to his appointment.
Prior to that, he served as the Chief of Staff for the Armed Forces of Liberia for six years.
Despite being born in Monrovia, investigations into his military history revealed that he had attended the Nigeria Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State, for one of his officer training courses.
In addition, he graduated from the US Army Command and General Staff College.
He received his commission as a second lieutenant in 2007 after finishing his officer candidate school. He was also Brownie J. Samukai Jr.’s military assistant in the AFL, a former minister of national defence.
Johnson was the first Liberian to assume the position of Brigade Commander in the AFL after the Liberian Civil War ended in 2014 when former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf appointed him to the 23rd Infantry Brigade.
In 2004, Johnson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from United Methodist University.
