Navy Chief Approves Massive Redeployment of 65 Rear Admirals
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved a major shake-up in the Nigerian Navy with the appointment and redeployment of 65 Rear Admirals to new commands and strategic positions across the country.
The massive redeployment, which took effect on October 30, 2025, affects postings at the Naval Headquarters (NHQ), Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Tri-Service Institutions, and other Navy establishments.
According to a statement signed by Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Naval Information and obtained by INCNews247, the new postings are part of ongoing efforts to reposition the Navy for greater operational efficiency and improved service delivery under the leadership of Vice Admiral Abbas, the 23rd indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff.
Among the newly appointed senior officers, Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi moves from the Defence Headquarters to the Naval Headquarters as the Chief of Logistics, while Rear Admiral Kasim Bushi has been posted to the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) as Executive Director.
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Similarly, Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun was appointed Director, Defence Cooperation, DHQ, and Rear Admiral Anenechukwu Ezenma will now serve as Director, Lessons Learnt, also at the DHQ.
Other key appointments include Rear Admiral Samuel Ngatuwa, who becomes Director, Project Management, DHQ, and Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu, who retains his role as Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited.
At the Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Musa Katagum now serves as Chief of Operations, Rear Admiral Fredrick Damtong as Chief of Naval Engineering, and Rear Admiral Abdul-Rasheed Haruna as Chief of Training.
The reshuffle also saw Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed appointed Commandant, National Defence College, while Rear Admiral Hamza Ibrahim takes over as Group Managing Director, Navy Holdings Limited (NHL).
Rear Admiral Sunday Oyegade moves to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) as Director of Logistics, just as Rear Admiral Gideon Kachim becomes Chief of Defence Administration, DHQ.
Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal was reappointed to NHL as Executive Director, Business Development and Evaluation, while Rear Admiral Jonathan Mamman takes over as Chief of Administration, NHQ.
At the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB), Rear Admiral Kehinde Odubanjo now serves as Director-General, while Rear Admiral John Okeke becomes Chief of Defence Civil-Military Cooperation, DHQ.
Also, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye was appointed Chief of Defence Training, and Rear Admiral Olatunde Olodude is now Chief of Policy and Plans, NHQ.
At the operational level, Rear Admiral Bob-Manuel Effiong was appointed Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Doctrine Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim takes over as FOC, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie is now FOC, Eastern Naval Command, and Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha becomes FOC, Western Naval Command.
Other postings include Rear Admiral Abiodun Alade, who now commands the Logistics Command, and Rear Admiral Ebiobowei Zipele, who assumes duty as FOC, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC).
Rear Admiral Abdul-Hamid Baba-Inna was named Navy Secretary, while Rear Admiral Patrick Effah becomes Chief of Communications and Information Technology.
In the Navy’s corporate subsidiaries, Rear Admiral Haruna Zego has been appointed Managing Director, Nigerian Navy Hotels and Suites Ltd, while Rear Admiral Muhsin Abba will serve as Managing Director, Admiralty Maritime Services Ltd.
Rear Admiral Umaru Faruk is now Managing Director, Naval Engineering Services Ltd, while Rear Admiral Bai Haruna Sabo continues as Managing Director, Naval Building and Construction Company Ltd.
Rear Admiral Mohammed Muye was named Commandant, Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN), while Rear Admiral Emmanuel Anakwe proceeds to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) as a Moderator.
While congratulating the newly appointed officers, Vice Admiral Abbas urged them to rededicate themselves to service and demonstrate higher levels of professionalism, integrity, and patriotism in the discharge of their duties.
