The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment and redeployment of 65 Rear Admirals to key positions across the Nigerian Navy, Defence Headquarters (DHQ), and Tri-Service Institutions in what is seen as one of the most extensive shake-ups in recent years.
The large-scale postings, announced on Thursday, 30 October 2025, reflected the renewed drive of the Nigerian Navy to strengthen operational efficiency and enhance its capacity to fulfil constitutional responsibilities under the leadership of Vice Admiral Abbas, the 23rd indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, the new appointments span logistics, operations, training, administration, engineering, research, and command functions, all aimed at repositioning the service for greater effectiveness.
Among those affected by the redeployment is Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi, who moves from the Defence Headquarters to the Naval Headquarters as Chief of Logistics. Rear Admiral Kasim Bushi becomes Executive Director, International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION), while Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun has been appointed Director, Defence Cooperation at DHQ. Rear Admiral Anenechukwu Ezenma moves to DHQ as Director, Lessons Learnt, and Rear Admiral Samuel Ngatuwa assumes the role of Director, Project Management at the Defence Headquarters.
Also listed is Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, who now serves as Commandant, National Defence College. Rear Admiral Musa Katagum was appointed Chief of Operations at the Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Fredrick Damtong become Chief of Naval Engineering, while Rear Admiral Abdul-Rasheed Haruna was named Chief of Training. Rear Admiral Hamza Ibrahim assumed duty as Group Managing Director, Navy Holdings Limited (NHL).
In the latest shake-up, Rear Admiral Sunday Oyegade proceeded to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) as Director of Logistics, and Rear Admiral Gideon Kachim moved to DHQ as Chief of Defence Administration. Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal retained his role at Navy Holdings Limited as Executive Director, Business Development and Evaluation, while Rear Admiral Jonathan Mamman took over as Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters.
Rear Admiral Kehinde Odubanjo was appointed Director-General, Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB), with Rear Admiral John Okeke named Chief of Defence Civil-Military Cooperation, and Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye assumed office as Chief of Defence Training.
Other senior officers included Rear Admiral Olatunde Olodude, now Chief of Policy and Plans, NHQ, and Rear Admiral Chijioke Onyemaobi, who took over as Chief of Naval Transformation. Rear Admiral Peter Zakaria was appointed Executive Director, Administration and Human Resources, NHL, while Rear Admiral Olufemi Adeleke become Director of Cyber Security at the Defence Space Agency (DSA).
Similarly, Rear Admiral Abiodun Alade was named Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Logistics Command, and Rear Admiral Pakiribo Anabraba become Chief of Naval Safety and Standard. Rear Admiral Abdul-Hamid Baba-Inna is the new Navy Secretary, and Rear Admiral Bai Haruna Sabo remained Managing Director, Naval Building and Construction Company Limited.
Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha now heads the Western Naval Command (WNC) as FOC, while Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie take charge of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) and Rear Admiral Ebiobowei Zipele assumes command at Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC). Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim becomes FOC, Central Naval Command (CNC), while Rear Admiral Bob-Manuel Effiong took over as FOC, Naval Doctrine Command (NAVDOC).
Other key appointments included Rear Admiral Mohammed Muye, Commandant, Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN); Rear Admiral Umaru Faruk, Managing Director, Naval Engineering Services Limited; and Rear Admiral Haruna Zego, Managing Director, Nigerian Navy Hotels and Suites Limited.
Several Directors at the Naval Headquarters were also affected. They included Rear Admirals Madumom Ide, Mohammed Dahiru, Michael Igwe, Kolawole Oguntuga, Adedokun Siyanbade, Raheem Taofeek, Aniefiok Uko, and Musiu Yussuff, who now head critical departments covering plans, projects, weapon engineering, administration, veteran affairs, operations, and marine engineering.
While congratulating the newly appointed senior officers, the Chief of the Naval Staff charged them to rededicate themselves to duty and justify the confidence reposed in them.
“The appointments are part of ongoing efforts to reposition the Nigerian Navy for enhanced operational effectiveness and to deliver on its constitutional mandate in line with the vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff,” Commodore Adams-Aliu stated.
He added that the postings take immediate effect.
