In consonance with fulfilling its sustained tradition of rewarding dent of hard work, Nigerian Navy has decorated newly promoted Rear Admirals with their new ranks.
The ceremony often referred to as the “Shipping of Stripes.” was attended at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, 1st December, 2025 by senior military officers, family members and well-wishers.
Those in attendance included the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle; the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu; the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye.
Others include the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, who was also represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal AY Abdullahi; Commandant National Defence College, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed; Chief of Administration Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Jonathan Nwunuji Mamman; Director General Defence Research and Development Bureau, Rear Admiral Kehinde John Odubanjo; Chief of Policy and Plans Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Akinola Olatunde Olodude
Among those decorated with the new rank badge included the NNS Beecroft Commander, Rear Admiral Paul Ponfa Nimmyel.
According to the formal citation of the officers, each of them have demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic acumen and steadfast loyalty throughout their careers.
Their elevation to the prestigious rank of Rear Admiral, symbolised through the ceremonial Shipping of Stripes, signifies not only a personal achievement but also the trust and confidence reposed in them by the Nigerian Navy and the nation at large.
In his remarks, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, congratulated the newly promoted Admirals, noting that their progression was a direct outcome of merit, hard work and an unyielding commitment to the Nigerian Navy’s core values.
He urged them to consider their new ranks as a greater call to duty, one that demands courage, integrity and visionary leadership. The CNS further charged them to remain exemplary ambassadors of the Service and to continue contributing to the strategic advancement of Nigeria’s maritime security architecture.
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