The newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Adm. Idi Abbas, has pledged to lead a decisive, disciplined and technology-driven Nigerian Navy committed to securing the nation’s maritime domain and boosting the blue economy.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report, says Abbas made the pledge on Thursday in Abuja while assuming command as the 23rd Chief of the Naval Staff.
He pledged to confront crude oil theft, sea robbery, illegal bunkering and other maritime crimes threatening national security and economic stability.
“Our maritime environment remains threatened by crude oil theft, sea robbery, bunkering and drug trafficking.
“These crimes undermine our economy and national energy security. We will confront them decisively,” he said.
The Naval Chief said his leadership would focus on strengthening maritime security, enhancing operational capability through fleet renewal and technology, improving personnel welfare, and fostering inter-agency and international collaboration.
He paid glowing tribute to his predecessor, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, for laying a solid foundation for continued progress, describing his leadership as visionary and exemplary.
Abbas charged officers, ratings and civilian staff to rededicate themselves to the Navy’s core values of integrity, professionalism and teamwork, assuring that the Service under his command would remain professional, accountable and welfare-driven.
“I promise to lead from the front, to listen, and to ensure that your welfare remains a top priority. With the support of the Commander-in-Chief and the solidarity of all Nigerians, we will steer the Nigerian Navy towards a more glorious future,” he said.
The outgone CNS, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, said he was leaving the navy stronger, more capable and better positioned to secure the nation’s maritime environment.
Ogalla said the navy had in the last two years, made significant strides in its operational activities with commendable improvement in maritime security.
“We ensured there was no piracy incident under my watch following Nigeria’s delisting from the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy report in March 2022,” he said.
Ogalla highlighted the success of Operation Delta Sanity, launched in January 2024 and sustained as Delta Sanity II in December 2024.
He noted that over 800 illegal refining sites, 5,515 storage facilities, and 76 vessels were deactivated, with 240 suspects arrested.
Ogalla also said the Navy’s new fiscalisation duties at oil and gas export terminals had contributed to increased national oil production, the highest in a decade.
The outgoing CNS said the service recorded notable progress in fleet recapitalisation with the acquisition of two survey vessels, seven fast patrol boats, six insurrection patrol crafts, five helicopters, and 23 unmanned aerial vehicles, among other assets.
He added that construction of the Seaward Defence Boats 4 and 5 at the Naval Dockyard was nearing completion, while extensive maintenance programmes were implemented to extend the lifespan of existing platforms.
On infrastructure, Ogalla noted that new bases and facilities were established in several states including Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Rivers, Benue, Ogun, and Enugu, while existing commands received massive upgrades in accommodation, jetties, and strategic storage infrastructure.
He also cited key policy reforms such as the creation of the Nigerian Navy Marines and Special Operations Command, the establishment of a new Training Branch, and decentralisation of Navy administration under his mission command philosophy.
“Our personnel are the backbone of the service.
“We took deliberate steps to improve living conditions, access to medical care and education, while introducing family welfare programmes and the CNS Special Intervention Quick Impact Project,” Ogalla said.
Ogalla expressed gratitude to the President Bola Tinubu, for the opportunity to serve, commending his colleagues in the Armed Forces, the Defence Ministry, state governors, and the Navy family for their support.
He urged officers and ratings to remain loyal to the Constitution and give full cooperation to his successor, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Abbas.
“I am confident that my successor will maintain the tempo in ensuring adequate maritime security. Remain loyal, first to the Constitution, the President and Commander-in-Chief, and to all constituted authorities,” he said.
Born on September 20, 1969, in Kano State, Abbas hails from Nassarawa Local Government Area. His educational journey began at Gwagwarwa Primary School, Kano, before he proceeded to the prestigious Air Force Military School, Jos, where he studied between 1981 and 1986.
In 1987, he gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 40th Regular Course and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on September 10, 1993, after earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry.
A well-trained naval officer, Abbas has attended several professional and strategic courses at home and abroad. These include the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course and the Officers’ Long Course in Above Water Warfare at NNS QUORRA, as well as the Junior and Senior Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. He also participated in the United Nations Military Observer Course in Tanzania (2009) and graduated from the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja, Course 23.
Throughout his illustrious career, Rear Admiral Abbas has held numerous command, instructional, and staff appointments that have shaped his operational and administrative expertise. He has served aboard key Nigerian Navy ships, including NNS ARADU, NNS DAMISA, and NNS AYAM, as a Watch-Keeping Officer.
He later became the Naval Assistant to the Deputy Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and subsequently Commanding Officer of Burma Battalion at the Nigerian Defence Academy. His other prominent appointments include Base Administrative Officer at NNS PATHFINDER, Maritime Guard Commander at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Commander of Task Group Operation TSARE TEKU, and Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command.
Before his elevation to Chief of Naval Staff, Abbas also served as Chief of Naval Safety and Standards, Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations at Defence Headquarters, and Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Heritage Centre.
