The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) is the highest-ranking officer in the Nigerian Navy, overseeing its operations, ensuring national security at sea, and formulating policies that shape the Navy’s development.
This article looks at the CNS’s key responsibilities, and the role’s significance, and provides a list of past officers who have held this prestigious position.
Chief of Naval Staff Role
The Chief of Naval Staff is responsible for ensuring the operational readiness of the Nigerian Navy and creating policies to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests.
The CNS reports to the Chief of Defence Staff and is the highest-ranking naval officer, often regarded as the key figure in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Responsibilities of the Chief of Naval Staff
- National Security and Policy: This department ensures the security of Nigeria’s maritime borders and formulates policies related to national defence and maritime security.
- Operational Readiness: Oversees the readiness and capability of the Navy, ensuring it is equipped to tackle threats such as piracy and illegal fishing.
- International Cooperation: Works with other countries and international bodies to enhance maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.
Complete List of Past Chiefs of Naval Staff in Nigeria
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) oversees the operations and strategic direction of the Nigerian Navy.
Below is a concise list of past CNS in Nigeria, showing their tenure and major contributions.
Captain Francis William Skutil (1956–1958)
- Time in office: 1–2 years
- First CNS of Nigeria, serving during the early establishment of the Navy.
Commodore Alexander R. Kennedy (1958–1964)
- Time in office: 5–6 years
- Key in laying the foundation for the Nigerian Navy.
Vice Admiral Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey (1964–1973)
- Time in office: 8 years, 10 months
- First indigenous CNS, led during the Nigerian Civil War.
Rear Admiral Nelson Bossman Soroh (1973–1975)
- Time in office: 2 years, 6 months
- Strengthened the Navy’s operational effectiveness.
Rear Admiral Michael Ayinde Adelanwa (1975–1980)
- Time in office: 4 years, 261 days
- Focused on improving naval readiness.
Vice Admiral Akintunde Aduwo (1980–1983)
- Time in office: 3 years, 260 days
- Led modernization efforts in the Navy.
Rear Admiral Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu (1984–1986)
- Time in office: 2 years, 9 months
- Later became Chief of General Staff.
Vice Admiral Patrick Seubo Koshoni (1986–1990)
- Time in office: 3 years, 3 months
- Enhanced naval operations.
Vice Admiral Murtala Hamman-Yero Nyako (1990–1992)
- Time in office: 2 years
- Strengthened naval defence capabilities.
Vice Admiral Dan Preston Omosola (1992–1993)
- Time in office: 1 year, 7 months
- Improved operational readiness.
Rear Admiral Suleiman Saidu (1993)
- Time in office: 2 months
- Brief tenure during a critical transition.
Rear Admiral Allison Amaechina Madueke (1993–1994)
- Time in office: 9 months
- Contributed to naval development.
Rear Admiral Okhai Michael Akhigbe (1994–1998)
- Time in office: 3 years, 10 months
- Later became Chief of General Staff.
Vice Admiral Jubril Ayinla (1998–1999)
- Time in office: 354 days
- Contributed to strategic planning.
Vice Admiral Victor Ombu (1999–2001)
- Time in office: 1 year, 329 days
- Focused on improving naval operations.
Vice Admiral Samuel Olajide Afolayan (2001–2005)
- Time in office: 4 years, 87 days
- Enhanced training and readiness.
Vice Admiral Ganiyu Tunde Adegboyega Adekeye (2005–2008)
- Time in office: 3 years, 31 days
- Led Navy modernization.
Vice Admiral Ishaya Iko Ibrahim (2008–2010)
- Time in office: 2 years, 19 days
- Strengthened defence systems.
Vice Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim (2010–2012)
- Time in office: 2 years, 26 days
- Later became Chief of Defence Staff.
Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba (2012–2014)
- Time in office: 1 year, 108 days
- Focused on Navy modernization.
Vice Admiral Usman Oyibe Jibrin (2014–2015)
- Time in office: 1 year, 182 days
- Enhanced operational efficiency.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (2015–2021)
- Time in office: 5 years, 192 days
- Led Navy modernization and improved maritime security.
Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (2021–2023)
- Time in office: 2 years, 145 days
- Focused on enhancing defence capabilities.
Current Chief of Naval Staff in Nigeria (2023–Present)
Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla (2023–Present)
- Time in office: 1 year, 270 days (as of March 2025)
- Focused on modernizing the fleet and improving operational capabilities.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
