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
This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspodents in Abuja on Monday by the Service ‘s Director of Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams- Aliu.
It explained that the large-scale postings, approved on Thursday, 30 October 2025, reflected 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.
According to the statement, among those affected are Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi, formerly of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), who now serves as Chief of Logistics at NHQ while.
Rear Admiral Kasim Bushi has been appointed Executive Director of the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) and Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun moved to DHQ as Director of Defence Cooperation.
Rear Admiral Anenechukwu Ezenma becomes Director of Lessons Learned 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 affected 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.
It added that other key postings included 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.
Others 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.
The statement further added that the CNS congratulated the newly appointed officers and urged them to rededicate themselves to service, professionalism, and integrity in carrying out their new responsibilities.
He emphasised that the redeployment was aimed at consolidating recent gained and ensuring the Nigerian Navy continues to deliver on its mandate of safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain.