KEY POINTS

• 65 Rear Admirals redeployed across commands and headquarters.
• Major reshuffle targets operational efficiency and maritime readiness.
• New postings cover logistics, training, and naval doctrine commands.

The Nigerian Navy has announced a wide-ranging reorganisation affecting 65 Rear Admirals, in what is described as one of the largest internal reshuffles in recent years.

The exercise, approved by Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, aims to “enhance operational effectiveness and reposition the service” to better deliver on its constitutional mandate, according to a statement from Naval Headquarters.

Navy redeployment involves new leadership

Under the new postings effected by the Navy redeployment, Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi moves from Defence Headquarters to become Chief of Logistics at Naval Headquarters, while Rear Admiral Kasim Bushi takes over as Executive Director of the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION).

Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun moves to Defence Headquarters as Director of Defence Cooperation, while Rear Admiral Anenechukwu Ezenma takes over as Director of Lessons Learned.

At the same time, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed is now Commandant of the National Defence College, while Rear Admiral Musa Katagum assumes office as Chief of Operations, NHQ.

Commands and training institutions reshuffled

In other key changes, Rear Admiral Abdul-Rasheed Haruna takes over as Chief of Training, and Rear Admiral Hamza Ibrahim becomes Group Managing Director of Navy Holdings Limited.

Rear Admiral Kehinde Odubanjo now leads the Defence Research and Development Bureau as Director General, while Rear Admiral Olatunde Olodude assumes the role of Chief of Policy and Plans.

Operational commands also saw new flag officers:

• Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, Western Naval Command (WNC)

• Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, Eastern Naval Command (ENC)

• Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, Central Naval Command (CNC)

Several senior officers also moved to strategic positions, including Rear Admiral Abdul-Hamid Baba-Inna as Navy Secretary and Rear Admiral Patrick Effah as Chief of Communications and IT.

While congratulating the newly appointed officers, Vice Admiral Abbas urged them to “rededicate themselves to duty and justify the confidence reposed in them.”