Meet Nigeria’s new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as the new Chief of Naval Staff, signalling a renewed drive towards bolstering Nigeria’s maritime security and safeguarding the country’s littoral zones.

Abbas has a distinguished career in the Nigerian Navy, with extensive operational experience in oil-theft control, illegal bunkering mitigation and coastal security. As Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command in Yenagoa, he pledged to intensify the fight against illegal oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other maritime crimes within the Niger Delta region.

Having previously served as Chief Staff Officer at the Central Naval Command, Abbas has steadily risen through the ranks and understands the challenges of Nigeria’s maritime domain firsthand.

In his new role, Rear Admiral Abbas is expected to focus on:

• Strengthening maritime domain awareness and enhancing coastal patrol capabilities.

• Deepening inter-agency cooperation to combat illegal bunkering, crude theft and pipeline vandalism.

• Elevating the operational readiness and professionalism of naval personnel across the service.

• Fostering community-engagement in Nigeria’s coastal states to support intelligence-led operations and guard key oil infrastructure.

Rear Admiral Abbas’s appointment underscores the government’s intent to prioritise Nigeria’s maritime security, particularly in the oil-rich Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea littoral theatre.