By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment and redeployment of 65 Rear Admirals of the Nigerian Navy (NN) to various strategic positions across the Naval Headquarters (NHQ), Commands, Tri-Service Institutions, and other naval establishments.
Navy Director of Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams- Aliu, on Monday, disclosed that the large-scale postings, approved on Thursday, 30 October 2025, reflect the Navy’s renewed drive to enhance operational efficiency and fulfil its constitutional mandate under the leadership of Vice Admiral Abbas, the 23rd indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff.
Among those affected is Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi, formerly of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), who now serves as Chief of Logistics at NHQ. Rear Admiral Kasim Bushi has been appointed Executive Director of the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION), while Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun moves to DHQ as Director of Defence Cooperation. Rear Admiral Anenechukwu Ezenma becomes Director of Lessons Learnt at DHQ, and Rear Admiral Samuel Ngatuwa takes over as Director of Project Management. Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu retains his position as Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited.
Also appointed are Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed as Commandant, National Defence College; Rear Admiral Musa Katagum as Chief of Operations, NHQ; and Rear Admiral Frederick Damtong as Chief of Naval Engineering. Rear Admiral Abdul-Rasheed Haruna becomes Chief of Training, NHQ, while Rear Admiral Hamza Ibrahim assumes the role of Group Managing Director, Navy Holdings Limited. Rear Admiral Sunday Oyegade proceeds to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) as Director of Logistics, and Rear Admiral Gideon Kachim becomes Chief of Defence Administration at DHQ.
Other key postings include Rear Admiral Jonathan Mamman as Chief of Administration, NHQ; Rear Admiral Kehinde Odubanjo as Director General, Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB); Rear Admiral John Okeke as Chief of Defence Civil-Military Cooperation, DHQ; and Rear Admiral Olatunde Olodude as Chief of Policy and Plans, NHQ. Rear Admiral Chijioke Onyemaobi takes over as Chief of Naval Transformation, while Rear Admiral Peter Zakaria assumes duties as Executive Director, Administration and Human Resources, Navy Holdings Limited.
Rear Admiral Abiodun Alade becomes Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Logistics Command, while Rear Admiral Pakiribo Anabraba is appointed Chief of Naval Safety and Standards. Rear Admiral Abdul-Hamid Baba-Inna is the new Navy Secretary, and Rear Admiral Patrick Effah assumes office as Chief of Communications and Information Technology.
Further appointments include Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha as FOC, Western Naval Command; Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie as FOC, Eastern Naval Command; and Rear Admiral Ebiobowei Zipele as FOC, Naval Training Command. Rear Admiral Mohammed Muye was appointed Commandant, Naval War College Nigeria, while Rear Admiral Yusuf Idris, Rear Admiral Sunday Yahaya, and Rear Admiral Kabiru Tanimu were assigned to key directorates at DHQ.
CNS Abbas congratulated the newly appointed officers and urged them to rededicate themselves to service, professionalism, and integrity in carrying out their new responsibilities.
He emphasized that the redeployment is aimed at consolidating recent gains and ensuring the Nigerian Navy continues to deliver on its mandate of safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain.
