In a sweeping leadership overhaul, Nigeria’s newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the redeployment of 65 Rear Admirals to key positions across the Navy and broader armed forces.

The move, announced on Monday, comes just days after Abbas assumed office as the 23rd indigenous CNS and signals a decisive push to enhance operational readiness amid persistent maritime threats.

Navy spokesperson Commodore A. Adams-Aliu described the reshuffle as a strategic repositioning to ensure “seamless continuity and enhanced readiness,” with immediate effect.

The appointments span Naval Headquarters, Defence Headquarters, tri-service institutions, regional commands, and subsidiaries, reflecting Abbas’ commitment to constitutional mandates and maritime security priorities such as piracy and oil theft.

🔄 Key Appointments Include:

• Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi: Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters
• Rear Admiral Kasim Bushi: Executive Director, International Maritime Institute of Nigeria
• Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun: Director of Defence Cooperation, Defence Headquarters
• Rear Admiral Anenechukwu Ezenma: Director of Lessons Learnt
• Rear Admiral Samuel Ngatuwa: Director of Project Management
• Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu: Retains role as Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited

🧭 Strategic Command Shifts:

• Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed: Commandant, National Defence College
• Rear Admiral Musa Katagum: Chief of Operations
• Rear Admiral Fredrick Damtong: Chief of Naval Engineering
• Rear Admiral Abdul-Rasheed Haruna: Chief of Training
• Rear Admiral Hamza Ibrahim: Group Managing Director, Navy Holdings Limited
• Rear Admiral Sunday Oyegade: Director of Logistics, Defence Intelligence Agency
• Rear Admiral Gideon Kachim: Chief of Defence Administration
• Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal: Reappointed to Navy Holdings Limited
• Rear Admiral Jonathan Mamman: Chief of Administration

🛡️ Additional Reassignments:

• Rear Admiral Kehinde Odubanjo: Director General, Defence Research and Development Bureau
• Rear Admiral John Okeke: Chief of Defence Civil-Military Cooperation
• Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye: Chief of Defence Training
• Rear Admiral Peter Zakaria: Executive Director, Admin & HR, Navy Holdings Limited
• Rear Admiral Olufemi Adeleke: Director of Cyber Security, Defence Space Agency
• Rear Admiral Abiodun Alade: Flag Officer Commanding, Logistics Command
• Rear Admiral Pakiribo Anabraba: Chief of Naval Safety and Standard
• Rear Admiral Emmanuel Anakwe: Moderator, National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies
• Rear Admiral Abdul-Hamid Baba-Inna: Navy Secretary
• Rear Admiral Yahaya Sunday: Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command

This naval reshuffle follows similar realignments in the Nigerian Army and Air Force on October 30 and 31, respectively, forming part of a broader military restructuring under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The aim: to strengthen national security architecture and improve inter-service coordination. No operational disruptions were reported.