The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment and redeployment of 65 Rear Admirals to various strategic positions across the Nigerian Navy, Defence Headquarters, and Tri-Service institutions.
The large-scale postings, announced on Thursday, October 30, 2025, reflect the Navy’s renewed commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and fulfilling its constitutional mandate under the leadership of Vice Admiral Abbas, the 23rd indigenous Chief of Naval Staff.
Among the key appointments, Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi, formerly of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), becomes Chief of Logistics at Naval Headquarters (NHQ), while Rear Admiral Kasim Bushi moves from the Naval Training Command to the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria as Executive Director.
Other notable postings include Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun, appointed Director of Defence Cooperation at DHQ; Rear Admiral Anenechukwu Ezenma, Director of Lessons Learnt at DHQ; and Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu, who retains his position as Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited.
Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed was appointed Commandant of the National Defence College, while Rear Admiral Musa Katagum now serves as Chief of Operations at NHQ. Rear Admirals Fredrick Damtong, Abdul-Rasheed Haruna, and Jonathan Mamman were appointed Chiefs of Naval Engineering, Training, and Administration respectively.
Additional appointments include Rear Admiral Hamza Ibrahim as Group Managing Director, Navy Holdings Limited; Rear Admiral Gideon Kachim as Chief of Defence Administration; Rear Admiral Olatunde Olodude as Chief of Policy and Plans; and Rear Admiral Chijioke Onyemaobi as Chief of Naval Transformation.
Rear Admiral Abiodun Alade was named Flag Officer Commanding, Logistics Command; Rear Admiral Pakiribo Anabraba, Chief of Naval Safety and Standard; Rear Admiral Mohammed Muye, Commandant of the Naval War College Nigeria; and Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command.
Several Rear Admirals were also posted to critical departments and agencies, including the Defence Space Agency, Defence Research and Development Bureau, Defence Intelligence Agency, and various naval establishments such as the Naval Shipyard and Naval Dockyard.
While congratulating the newly appointed officers, Vice Admiral Abbas charged them to rededicate themselves to duty, uphold the Navy’s core values of professionalism, integrity, and excellence, and justify the confidence reposed in them.
The Director of Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, who announced the appointments, described the redeployments as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership and operational capacity across the Nigerian Navy.
