Major shake-up as Nigerian Navy redeploys 65 Rear Admirals

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved a major shake-up within the Nigerian Navy, ordering the appointment and redeployment of 65 Rear Admirals to various strategic positions across the force.

The large-scale deployment affects senior officers posted to critical commands within the Nigerian Navy, as well as to the Defence Headquarters and key Tri-Service institutions. The move is expected to strengthen operational efficiency, enhance leadership structure, and boost national security efforts.

The announcement was made on Monday in Abuja through a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Ayiwuyor Adams-Aliu, who noted that the reshuffling aligns with ongoing reforms to improve professionalism and operational readiness within the maritime force.

According to the statement, the large-scale postings are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Navy’s operational efficiency and boost its maritime security posture across the nation’s waters.

He said the new postings reflect the CNS’s commitment to repositioning the Service for improved performance and synergy among commands.

Among the key appointments, Rear Adm. Suleiman Abdullahi, formerly at Defence Headquarters (DHQ), is now Chief of Logistics at Naval Headquarters (NHQ), while Rear Adm. Kasim Bushi moves from Headquarters Naval Training Command to the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria as Executive Director.

Rear Adm. Suleiman Dahun was appointed Director of Defence Cooperation at DHQ, and Rear Adm. Abdullahi Ahmed becomes Commandant, National Defence College.

Others include Rear Adm. Musa Katagum as Chief of Operations; Rear Adm. Fredrick Damtong as Chief of Naval Engineering, and Rear Adm. Abdul-Rasheed Haruna as Chief of Training, all at NHQ.

Adams-Aliu also disclosed that Rear Adm. Abiodun Alade becomes the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Logistics Command; Rear Adm. Abubakar Mustapha as FOC, Western Naval Command; Rear Adm. Chidozie Okehie as FOC, Eastern Naval Command; and Rear Adm. Suleiman Ibrahim as FOC, Central Naval Command.

He added that Rear Adm. Mohammed Muye had been appointed Commandant, Naval War College Nigeria, while Rear Adm. Abdul-Hamid Baba-Inna becomes the Navy Secretary.

The CNS, while congratulating the newly appointed officers, urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by rededicating themselves to duty, upholding professionalism, and contributing to national security and development.