Idi Abbas


Vice Admiral Idi Abbas is a Nigerian senior Navy officer who is the current and 25th Chief of the Naval Staff. He was appointed to the position by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 24 October 2025, succeeding Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

Early life and education

Idi Abbas was born on 20 September 1969, and hails from Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State. He attended Government College, Kaduna.
He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in September 1987 as a member of the 40 Regular Course. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant on 10 September 1993.
Abbas is an Above Water Warfare specialist. His academic qualifications include:
Abbas has held several key command and staff appointments throughout his career, rising to the rank of Rear Admiral on 10 September 2020.

Operational and Staff Appointments

His key appointments include:
  • Watch-Keeping Officer on various Nigerian Navy ships, including NNS ARADU, NNS DAMISA, and NNS AYAM.
  • Staff Officer III, Marine Services, at Naval Headquarters.
  • Gunnery Officer on NNS OHUE.
  • Commanding Officer, Burma Battalion, NDA.
  • Naval Contingent Commander of Joint Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN.
  • Maritime Guard Commander for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency .
  • Commander Task Group of NN Operation Tsare-Teku.
  • Flag Officer Commanding of the Central Naval Command, Yenagoa.
  • Chief of Naval Safety and Standards at Naval Headquarters.
  • Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations at Defence Headquarters.
  • Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Heritage Centre.

    Courses Attended

Abbas is a well-trained officer who has attended several military courses at home and abroad, including:
Rear Admiral Abbas's decorations include: