Major General Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu was born on September 1, 1940 at Port Harcourt. He hails from Naiahala Ukwu, Umudinja Amaeke , Ovim in Isuikwuato, Abia State. after his primary education he attended Lagos City College Yaba, from 1953 to 1958. He joined the Army and was admitted to the Royal Canadian Academy in 1963 and graduated in 1965.

Major General Nwachukwu rose through the ranks until he became the Provost Marshall, Nigerian Army in 1979, a post he held until his appointment as Military Governor of Imo State in January 1984. Notwithstanding financial difficulties, General Nwachukwu paid attention to many projects which had suffered stagnation. He started new projects such as Blood Bank in which Imo Philanthropists took the challenges to build Blood Transfusion Centres in Owerri, Okigwe, Orlu and Aba.

He introduced, Imo Development Fund and Sports Endowment Fund. He restored confidence in the teaching profession among Elementary and Secondary School Teachers. He restored  harmony to the people torn apart by partisan politics. He is married with children, plays squash, Tennis, reading, listen to music and discussions.