The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the redeployment of 65 senior officers of the Nigerian Navy to key positions across the Naval Headquarters, Commands, and Tri-Service institutions, in what officials describe as a major strategic leadership overhaul.
The large-scale postings, approved on Thursday, October 30, 2025, reflect the Navy’s renewed drive to strengthen operational efficiency, leadership accountability, and maritime security across Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways.
According to a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, the redeployment covers logistics, training, operations, engineering, policy formulation, and command duties, marking a holistic restructuring aimed at enhancing institutional performance.
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Among the prominent appointments, Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi, formerly of the Defence Headquarters, has been appointed Chief of Logistics at the Naval Headquarters. Rear Admiral Kasim Bushi moves from the Headquarters Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) to the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) as Executive Director, while Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun, previously at the Naval Headquarters, now serves as Director of Defence Cooperation at Defence Headquarters.
Also, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, who previously served at the Naval Headquarters, has been appointed Commandant of the National Defence College. Rear Admiral Musa Katagum is now Chief of Operations at Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Fredrick Damtong becomes Chief of Naval Engineering. Similarly, Rear Admiral Abdul-Rasheed Haruna was appointed Chief of Training, and Rear Admiral Jonathan Mamman is the new Chief of Administration.
In the Navy’s corporate and support divisions, Rear Admiral Hamza Ibrahim has been named Group Managing Director, Navy Holdings Limited (NHL), while Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal retains his position as Executive Director, Business Development and Evaluation, at the same institution.
Other key postings include Rear Admiral Olatunde Olodude as Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Abiodun Alade as Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Logistics Command, and Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie as FOC Eastern Naval Command. Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha assumes duty as FOC Western Naval Command, while Rear Admiral Ebiobowei Zipele becomes FOC NAVTRAC.
Further appointments include Rear Admiral Mohammed Muye as Commandant, Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN); Rear Admiral Umaru Faruk as Managing Director, Naval Engineering Services Limited; and Rear Admiral Haruna Zego as Managing Director, Nigerian Navy Hotels and Suites Limited.
The redeployment also saw Rear Admiral Emmanuel Anakwe posted to the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) as a Moderator, while Rear Admiral Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan was appointed Director, PC4, in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Vice Admiral Abbas, in a message to the newly appointed officers, congratulated them on their new roles and urged them to uphold professionalism, discipline, and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
“The Nigerian Navy under this leadership remains committed to operational excellence and inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain,” Abbas said.
The appointments take immediate effect as part of broader efforts to consolidate leadership stability and improve Nigeria’s maritime security operations.