Peter Nwaoduah was Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) under General Sani Abacha.^[1] He headed the department from October 1992-1998, taking orders from Major Hamza al-Mustapha.^[2]

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Nwaoduah's appointment was considered one well deserved because of the choice of the former head of state, General Sani Abacha to choose his appointees on the basis on competence without prejudice to religious or ethnic backgrounds. Mr Peter Nwaoduah was one among many southerners appointed by Abacha who were acclaimed the best cabinet in the country's history comprising Lateef Jakande, Bamanga Tukur, Adamu Ciroma, Anthony Ani, Olu Onagoruwa, Abubakar Rimi, Walter Ofonagoro, Uche Chukwumerije, Babagana Kingibe (M.K.O Abiola’s running mate), Sarki Tafida, and Tom Ikimi.^[3]

Nwaoduah was among 183 Nigerians recognised and conferred with awards including 13 awardees are to receive the Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR; 27 to get Commander of the Niger, CON, 43 would get Order of the Federal Republic, OFR; 46 to be given Order of the Niger, OON; 22 would have Member of the Federal Republic, MFR; while 25 would be honoured with Member of the Niger, MON. Four others will get FRM I while three would be bestowed with FRM II. Mr Nwaoduah was listed for conferment of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) alongside other personalities like:

• Abdulkadir, Prof. Dan_Datti OFR
• Aina, Lawrence Olusegun OFR
• Ajumogobia, Odein, SAN OFR
• Akaahs, Justice Kumai Bayang OFR
• Akpan, Major_General Edet OFR
• Alkali, Air C'dre Ibrahim OFR
• Asika, Dr. (Mrs.) Edith Chinyere OFR
• Batagarawa, Alhaji Ahmadi (Rtd.) Grand Khadi OFR
• Bauchi, Sheikh Dahiru Usman OFR
• Bello, Senator Muhammad Kanti OFR
• Bonet, Chief Ufuwai OFR
• Bozimo, Justice Rosaline Patricia Irorefe OFR
• Braid, Prof. (Mrs.) Ekanem OFR
• Chukkol, Prof. Kharisu Sufiyan OFR
• Edebiri, Prof. Unionmwam OFR
• Edu, Yomi OFR
• Gwadabe, Alhaji Musa OFR
• Inde, Abdullahi Dikko OFR
• Jidda, Amb. Baba Ahmad OFR
• Kuye, Senator Jibril Martins OFR
• Lot, Sylvanus David OFR
• Mohammed, Brig. General Garba (Rtd.) OFR
• Muhammad, Justice Musa Dattijo OFR
• Ndoma_Egba, Senator Victor, SAN OFR
• Nwadialo, Bernard Shaw OFR
• and so many others.^{[4] [5]}

Not much is known about his early life and career. He took over the leadership of the SSS from Albert Horsfall and handed over to Colonel Kayode Are in 1998. He acquired his Service residence in Asokoro, Abuja in 1999.^[6]