By Nkechi Eze
In a sweeping reorganization aimed at strengthening command structures and enhancing operational effectiveness, 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 Headquarters, commands, and Tri-Service institutions.
Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Adams Aliu, announced the development in an official signed statement, describing the reshuffle as a deliberate step by the Naval Chief to reposition the Service for greater efficiency in fulfilling its constitutional mandate. The mass posting, approved on Thursday, 30 October 2025, marks one of the most extensive realignments under Vice Admiral Abbas’ leadership since assuming office as the 23rd indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff.
According to the statement, Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi, who was formerly at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has been appointed Chief of Logistics at the Naval Headquarters (NHQ). Similarly, Rear Admiral Kasim Bushi has been posted from the Headquarters Naval Training Command (HQ NAVTRAC) to the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) as Executive Director, while Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun has been appointed Director Defence Cooperation at DHQ. Rear Admiral Anenechukwu Ezenma will now serve as Director Lessons Learnt at the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB).
In the new postings, Rear Admiral Samuel Ngatuwa was redeployed to DHQ as Director Project Management, while Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu retains his position as Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited. Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, previously at NHQ, has been appointed Commandant of the National Defence College, and Rear Admiral Musa Katagum, formerly at DHQ, now assumes the position of Chief of Operations at NHQ. Rear Admiral Fredrick Damtong is the new Chief of Naval Engineering, while Rear Admiral Abdul-Rasheed Haruna has been appointed Chief of Training at NHQ.
Further appointments include Rear Admiral Hamza Ibrahim as Group Managing Director, Navy Holdings Limited (NHL); Rear Admiral Sunday Oyegade as Director of Logistics at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA); and Rear Admiral Gideon Kachim, who will now serve as Chief of Defence Administration at DHQ. Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal retains his post at Navy Holdings Limited as Executive Director, Business Development and Evaluation, while Rear Admiral Jonathan Mamman moves to NHQ as Chief of Administration.
Rear Admiral Kehinde Odubanjo now heads the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB) as Director General, and Rear Admiral John Okeke proceeds to DHQ as Chief of Defence Civil-Military Cooperation. Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye has been redeployed from NHQ to DHQ as Chief of Defence Training, and Rear Admiral Olatunde Olodude, formerly Commandant of the Naval War College Nigeria, assumes office at NHQ as Chief of Policy and Plans. Rear Admiral Chijioke Onyemaobi has been appointed Chief of Naval Transformation, and Rear Admiral Peter Zakaria takes charge as Executive Director, Administration and Human Resource, at Navy Holdings Limited.
Others affected in the exercise include Rear Admiral Olufemi Adeleke, who now serves as Director Cyber Security at the Defence Space Agency (DSA); Rear Admiral Semiu Adepegba, appointed Director of Defence Administration at DHQ; and Rear Admiral Abiodun Alade, who becomes Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Logistics Command. Rear Admiral Pakiribo Anabraba is the new Chief of Naval Safety and Standard, while Rear Admiral Emmanuel Anakwe has been nominated to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) as a Moderator. Rear Admiral Sunday Atakpa is the new Director of Hydrography, and Rear Admiral Abdul-Hamid Baba-Inna has been appointed Navy Secretary.
Other significant postings include Rear Admiral Bai Haruna Sabo, who remains Managing Director, Naval Building and Construction Company Limited; Rear Admiral Etop Ebe, now Director Marine Research at DRDB; and Rear Admiral Patrick Effah, who assumes office as Chief of Communications and Information Technology. Rear Admiral Bob-Manuel Effiong becomes Flag Officer Commanding, Headquarters Naval Doctrine Command (NAVDOC), while Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim has been appointed FOC, Central Naval Command (CNC). Rear Admiral Yusuf Idris moves to DSA as Director of Logistics, and Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha takes over as FOC, Western Naval Command (WNC).
Similarly, Rear Admiral Danjuma Ndanusa is appointed Director of Logistics at DHQ; Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie is now FOC, Eastern Naval Command (ENC); and Rear Admiral Ifeanyi Okpala becomes Director Transformation at DHQ. Rear Admiral Sunday Yahaya is appointed Director Defence Equipment Standardization and Harmonization at DHQ, while Rear Admiral Haruna Zego is now Managing Director, Nigerian Navy Hotels and Suites Ltd. Rear Admiral Ebiobowei Zipele takes command as FOC, Headquarters Naval Training Command (HQ NAVTRAC); Rear Admiral Muhsin Abba assumes duty as Managing Director, Admiralty Maritime Services Ltd; and Rear Admiral Jonathan Ajodo becomes Chief Staff Officer (CSO), Headquarters Logistics Command.
Rear Admiral Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan proceeds to the Office of the National Security Adviser as Director, PC4; Rear Admiral Victor Choji becomes CSO, HQ NAVTRAC; Rear Admiral Mohammed Dahiru takes over as Director, Project Implementation and Evaluation at NHQ; and Rear Admiral Nnamdi Ekwom is now CSO, HQ WNC. Rear Admiral Umaru Faruk has been appointed Managing Director, Naval Engineering Services Limited; Rear Admiral Vincent Gbaranwi becomes CSO, HQ CNC; while Rear Admiral Steven Ibrahim moves to HQ ENC as CSO.
The list also includes Rear Admiral Madumom Ide, now Director Plans at NHQ; Rear Admiral Paul Efe-Oghene, Director Development and Production at DRDB; and Rear Admiral Desmond Igbo, who becomes CSO at HQ NAVDOC. Rear Admiral Michael Igwe is appointed Director Weapon Engineering, Rear Admiral Mohammed Muye is the new Commandant, Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN), Rear Admiral Kolawole Oguntuga takes over as Director Manning at NHQ, and Rear Admiral Adedokun Siyanbade becomes Director Administration. Rear Admiral Raheem Taofeek will serve as Director Veteran Affairs at NHQ, Rear Admiral Kabiru Tanimu as Director Special Operations Forces at DHQ, and Rear Admiral Ikenna Ubani assumes command as Admiral Superintendent, Naval Shipyard Limited.
In the same vein, Rear Admiral Aniefiok Uko has been appointed Director Operations at NHQ, while Rear Admiral Musiu Yussuff now serves as Director Marine Engineering.
While congratulating the newly appointed officers, Vice Admiral Abbas urged them to rededicate themselves to duty and justify the confidence reposed in them, stressing that the new appointments were not just positions of honour, but a renewed call to service, responsibility, and integrity.
He emphasized that the Nigerian Navy under his leadership remains firmly committed to upholding professionalism, enhancing maritime security, and safeguarding the nation’s territorial waters. “These appointments reflect our continued resolve to reposition the Service for optimal performance and ensure our officers are placed where their expertise and experience can make the greatest impact,” the Naval Chief stated.
