Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey (6 March 1918 – 12 December 1991)^[1] was aNigerian NavyVice Admiral who served as head of theNigerian Navy (i.e.Chief of Naval Staff),^[2] actingforeign minister,^[3] and chief of staff of the Supreme Headquarters,^[4] making him thede factovice president of Nigeria duringYakubu Gowon's regime.

Vice admiral J. E. A. Wey
2ndChief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters
In office 1 August 1966 – 29 July 1975
Head of State	Yakubu Gowon
Preceded by	Babafemi Ogundipe
Succeeded by	Olusegun Obasanjo
Chief of Naval Staff
In office March 1964 – January 1973
Preceded by	Commodore A.R. Kennedy
Succeeded by	Rear Adm. N.B. Soroh
Personal details
Born	(1918-03-06)6 March 1918 Calabar, Southern Region,British Nigeria (nowCalabar,Cross River, Nigeria)
Died	12 December 1991(1991-12-12) (aged 73) Nigeria
Political party	None (military)
Spouse	Anne Wey
Military service
Allegiance	Nigeria
Branch/service	Nigerian Navy
Years of service	1940-1975
Rank	Vice admiral
Battles/wars	Nigerian Civil War

Born in Calabar in March 1918 to aYoruba father who was fromLagos and anEfik mother, Wey had his early education inCalabar,Cross River State and at Methodist School,Ikot Ekpene in presentAkwa Ibom State; and further education inLagos.

He joined the Marine Department as a cadet and engineer in training around 1940. At the end of his training in 1945, he served in all sea-going vessels in the Marine Department. When the Navy was established in 1956, he was transferred to theNavy as a sub-lieutenant. In 1962, he was appointed as the commanding officer of base and naval officer in charge of Apapa,Lagos. In 1966, he was appointed as the Federal Commissioner of Establishment and he became a member of the federal Executive Council. He was promoted to various ranks and to the final rank of vice-admiral.

He was retired in 1975 following the successful coup that broughtMurtala Mohammed^[4] to power, replacing themilitary government of GeneralYakubu Gowon. He died 12 December 1991.^[1]