… As 65 Rear Admirals redeployed to sharpen sea defence, logistics, and inter-service coordination
By Joy Odor | Abuja
The Nigerian Navy has announced a major leadership reshuffle, redeploying 65 Rear Admirals across commands, defence headquarters, and strategic institutions, a move signaling a bold reorientation of Nigeria’s naval power under Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
Approved on October 30, 2025, the shake-up, the first since Admiral Abbas assumed duty as the 23rd indigenous naval chief touches every tier of the service’s structure, from logistics and operations to research, training, and maritime safety.
At the centre of the new postings is Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi, now Chief of Logistics at Naval Headquarters (NHQ), while Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed takes over as Commandant of the National Defence College, one of the most prestigious defence institutions in Africa.
Other key appointments include Rear Admiral Musa Katagum as Chief of Operations, Rear Admiral Fredrick Damtong as Chief of Naval Engineering, Rear Admiral Abdul-Rasheed Haruna as Chief of Training, and Rear Admiral Jonathan Mamman as Chief of Administration.
At the industrial front, Rear Admiral Hamza Ibrahim has been named Group Managing Director, Navy Holdings Limited, while Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal retains his position as Executive Director, Business Development and Evaluation in the same organisation.
The reshuffle also strengthens the Navy’s technological and research arms. Rear Admiral Kehinde Odubanjo becomes Director-General, Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB); Rear Admiral Olatunde Olodude steps in as Chief of Policy and Plans; and Rear Admiral Olufemi Adeleke joins the Defence Space Agency as Director of Cyber Security.
In a move seen as tightening operational grip across Nigeria’s maritime zones, new Flag Officers Commanding (FOCs) were announced:
Rear Admiral Abiodun Alade — FOC Logistics Command
Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha — FOC Western Naval Command
Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie — FOC Eastern Naval Command
Rear Admiral Ebiobowei Zipele — FOC Naval Training Command
Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim — FOC Central Naval Command
The reshuffle, according to Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Naval Information, is part of a “strategic realignment to enhance efficiency, innovation, and readiness” in line with the CNS’s operational philosophy.
Admiral Abbas, while congratulating the newly appointed officers, charged them to “rededicate themselves to service, uphold professionalism, and justify the confidence reposed in them.”
He emphasized that the redeployments were aimed at strengthening joint operations, improving maritime security governance, and deepening the Navy’s blue economy strategy, as Nigeria intensifies the protection of its maritime assets.
This sweeping reorganization marks a new era in the Navy’s evolution, a push for leaner command structures, smarter maritime dominance, and inter-agency synergy critical to Nigeria’s national security ambitions.
