Shakeup in Navy as 65 rear admirals redeployed

The Nigerian Navy said the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the redeployment of 65 Rear Admirals to key appointments across the Nigerian Navy (NN) Defence Headquarters (DHQ), and other tri-service institutions, in what is seen as a strategic move to reinvigorate the Service’s operations and enhance efficiency.
The postings, according to a statement by the Naval spokesman, Commodore Aiwuyor Adam-Aliu, takes effect from October 30, 2025, and reflects the Navy’s renewed effort to fulfill its constitutional mandate under the leadership of Vice Admiral Abbas, the 23rd indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff.
Among the top officers affected by the reshuffle is Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi, who moves from the Defence Headquarters to Naval Headquarters (NHQ) as Chief of Logistics. Rear Admiral Kasim Bushi, formerly of the Headquarters Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), has been appointed Executive Director of the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION), while Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun moves from NHQ to DHQ as Director of Defence Cooperation.
Similarly, Rear Admiral Anenechukwu Ezenma, formerly with the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB), becomes Director, Lesson Learnt at DHQ, and Rear Admiral Samuel Ngatuwa proceeds to DHQ as Director, Project Management. Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu retains his position as Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited.
In another major posting, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, previously at NHQ, became Commandant, National Defence College. Rear Admiral Musa Katagum moves from DHQ to NHQ as Chief of Operations, while Rear Admiral Fredrick Damtong is now Chief of Naval Engineering. Rear Admiral Abdul-Rasheed Haruna, formerly at DHQ, assumes duty as Chief of Training, and Rear Admiral Hamza Ibrahim has been named Group Managing Director, Navy Holdings Limited (NHL).
Rear Admiral Sunday Oyegade proceeds to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) as Director of Logistics, while Rear Admiral Gideon Kachim becomes Chief of Defence Administration at DHQ. Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal retains his portfolio as Executive Director, Business Development and Evaluation, Navy Holdings Limited, and Rear Admiral Jonathan Mamman moves to NHQ as Chief of Administration.
Also affected are Rear Admiral Kehinde Odubanjo, now Director-General, Defence Research and Development Bureau, and Rear Admiral John Okeke, who becomes Chief of Defence Civil-Military Cooperation at DHQ. Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye takes over as Chief of Defence Training, while Rear Admiral Olatunde Olodude, formerly of the Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN), is now Chief of Policy and Plans at NHQ.
Other key appointments include: Rear Admiral Chijioke Onyemaobi as Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Peter Zakaria as Executive Director, Administration and Human Resources, NHL, Rear Admiral Olufemi Adeleke as Director of Cyber Security, Defence Space Agency (DSA), and Rear Admiral Semiu Adepegba as Director of Defence Administration at DHQ.
In the Commands, Rear Admiral Abiodun Alade, assumes duty as Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Logistics Command, while Rear Admiral Pakiribo Anabraba becomes Chief of Naval Safety and Standards.
Rear Admiral Emmanuel Anakwe proceeded to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS),as a Moderator, and Rear Admiral Sunday Atakpa is now Director of Hydrography. Rear Admiral Abdul-Hamid Baba-Inna takes over as Navy Secretary, while Rear Admiral Bai Haruna Sabo retains his post as Managing Director, Naval Building and Construction Company Limited.
Other appointments include:Rear Admiral Etop Ebe as Director, Marine Research, DRDB, Rear Admiral Patrick Effah as Chief of Communications and Information Technology, Rear Admiral Bob-Manuel Effiong as Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Doctrine Command (NAVDOC), and Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim as FOC, Central Naval Command (CNC).
Rear Admiral Yusuf Idris becomes Director of Logistics, DSA, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha is FOC, Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie assumes duty as FOC, Eastern Naval Command (ENC), and Rear Admiral Ifeanyi Okpala is Director of Transformation at DHQ.
In other postings, Rear Admiral Sunday Yahaya becomes Director of Defence Equipment Standardization and Harmonization at DHQ, Rear Admiral Haruna Zego takes over as Managing Director, Nigerian Navy Hotels and Suites Limited, while Rear Admiral Ebiobowei Zipele becomes FOC, NAVTRAC.
Rear Admiral Muhsin Abba was appointed Managing Director, Admiralty Maritime Services Limited, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ajodo becomes Chief Staff Officer, Logistics Command, and Rear Admiral Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan moves to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as Director, PC4.
Other officers affected include Rear Admiral Victor Choji (Chief Staff Officer, NAVTRAC), Rear Admiral Mohammed Dahiru (Director, Project Implementation and Evaluation, NHQ), Rear Admiral Nnamdi Ekwom (CSO, WNC), Rear Admiral Umaru Faruk (MD, Naval Engineering Services Limited), Rear Admiral Vincent Gbaranwi (CSO, CNC), and Rear Admiral Steven Ibrahim (CSO, ENC).
Also named in the reshuffle are Rear Admiral Madumom Ide (Director of Plans, NHQ), Rear Admiral Paul Efe-Oghene (Director, Development and Production, DRDB), Rear Admiral Desmond Igbo (CSO, NAVDOC), Rear Admiral Michael Igwe (Director, Weapon Engineering), and Rear Admiral Mohammed Muye, who becomes Commandant, Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN).
Other appointments include Rear Admiral Kolawole Oguntuga as Director of Manning, Rear Admiral Adedokun Siyanbade as Director of Administration, Rear Admiral Raheem Taofeek as Director of Veteran Affairs, Rear Admiral Kabiru Tanimu as Director of Special Operations Forces, and Rear Admiral Ikenna Ubani as Admiral Superintendent, Naval Shipyard Limited.
In addition, Rear Admiral Aniefiok Uko moves from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College to NHQ as Director of Operations, while Rear Admiral Musiu Yussuff assumes duty as Director of Marine Engineering.
While congratulating the newly appointed Rear Admirals, Vice Admiral Abbas charged them to rededicate themselves to service, uphold the Navy’s core values, and justify the confidence reposed in them.
He noted that the redeployments were designed to reposition the Nigerian Navy for greater operational efficiency, professional excellence, and enhanced maritime security in line with his strategic command vision.