Major shake-up in Nigerian Navy as 65 Rear Admirals redeployed

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved a sweeping redeployment affecting 65 Rear Admirals across key commands, institutions, and departments of the Nigerian Navy, in one of the most extensive shake-ups in recent years.

The large-scale postings, announced in a statement on Monday by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Ayiwuyor Adams-Aliu, are aimed at strengthening operational efficiency, enhancing maritime security, and improving inter-service coordination.

Adams-Aliu said the exercise underscores the CNS’s resolve to reposition the Navy for greater performance, discipline, and synergy among commands and units nationwide.

Among the major changes, Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi, previously at the Defence Headquarters, has been appointed Chief of Logistics at Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Kasim Bushi moves from the Naval Training Command to become Executive Director of the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria.

Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun was named Director of Defence Cooperation at the Defence Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed now serves as Commandant of the National Defence College.

Other key appointments include:

Rear Admiral Musa Katagum – Chief of Operations, Naval Headquarters

Rear Admiral Fredrick Damtong – Chief of Naval Engineering

Rear Admiral Abdul-Rasheed Haruna – Chief of Training, Naval Headquarters

Rear Admiral Abiodun Alade – Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Logistics Command

Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha – FOC, Western Naval Command

Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie – FOC, Eastern Naval Command

Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim – FOC, Central Naval Command

Rear Admiral Mohammed Muye – Commandant, Naval War College Nigeria

Rear Admiral Abdul-Hamid Baba-Inna – Navy Secretary

Vice Admiral Abbas, while congratulating the newly appointed officers, charged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating renewed commitment to professionalism, discipline, and national security.

He urged them to “rededicate themselves to duty, uphold the Navy’s core values, and contribute meaningfully to national defence and maritime safety.”

The redeployment is expected to take immediate effect.