November 03, (THEWILL) — Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the redeployment of 65 Rear Admirals in a sweeping shake-up across the Nigerian Navy.
The move is aimed at boosting operational efficiency, enhancing strategic readiness, and strengthening the Navy’s overall command structure.
The large-scale postings, announced in a statement on Monday by the Director of Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, affect key operational, training, logistics, intelligence, and administrative roles within the Navy, Defence Headquarters, and tri-service institutions.
Among the new appointments, Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi, formerly of the Defence Headquarters, becomes Chief of Logistics at Naval Headquarters.
Rear Admiral Kasim Bushi moves from the Naval Training Command to head the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria, while Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun is now Director of Defence Cooperation at Defence Headquarters.
In a major strategic posting, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed has been named Commandant of the National Defence College, while Rear Admiral Musa Katagum becomes Chief of Operations at Naval Headquarters. Rear Admiral Fredrick Damtong assumes duty as Chief of Naval Engineering, and Rear Admiral Abdul-Rasheed Haruna takes over as Chief of Training.
Rear Admiral Hamza Ibrahim has been appointed Group Managing Director of Navy Holdings Limited, Rear Admiral Jonathan Mamman becomes Chief of Administration, and Rear Admiral Chijioke Onyemaobi is now Chief of Naval Transformation.
Rear Admiral Abiodun Alade takes charge as Flag Officer Commanding, Logistics Command.
At the Defence Intelligence Agency, Rear Admiral Sunday Oyegade has been posted as Director of Logistics, while Rear Admiral Olufemi Adeleke moves to the Defence Space Agency as Director of Cyber Security.
In operational commands, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha is now the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command; Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie assumes command of the Eastern Naval Command; and Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim takes charge of the Central Naval Command.
The shake-up also affects technical and research arms, with Rear Admirals Kehinde Odubanjo and Etop Ebe joining the Defence Research and Development Bureau, while Rear Admiral Mohammed Muye becomes Commandant of the Naval War College Nigeria.
The appointments also extend to administrative and support institutions, with new Chiefs of Staff appointed to various naval commands and heads named for strategic naval businesses such as Navy Holdings Limited and Admiralty Maritime Services.
Vice Admiral Abbas charged the newly appointed officers to demonstrate professionalism, loyalty, and integrity, describing their appointments as a vote of confidence in their leadership.
“With the trust reposed in you, I urge you to rededicate yourselves to service and uphold the highest standards of discipline and accountability,” Abbas said.
The Nigerian Navy is currently intensifying its maritime security operations amid rising challenges such as oil theft, piracy, illegal fishing, and emerging cyber threats, making the latest reshuffle a crucial step in fortifying its strategic response capabilities.
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