Rear Admiral Sulaiman Dahun Appointed Director, Defence Cooperation

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

In a sweeping leadership overhaul approved by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Rear Admiral Sulaiman Dahun, former Director of Naval Information, has been appointed Director of Defence Cooperation at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), marking a significant transition in his distinguished career within the Nigerian Navy.

Rear Admiral Dahun’s redeployment comes as part of a major reshuffle involving 65 Rear Admirals across the Nigerian Navy, announced on October 30, 2025. The move reflects the Navy’s renewed focus on enhancing inter-agency synergy, operational effectiveness, and strategic command capacity under Vice Admiral Abbas’s leadership.

Having served as the Navy’s spokesperson, Dahun played a pivotal role in shaping public perception and strategic communication for the Service. His transition to the Defence Headquarters as Director of Defence Cooperation signals a shift from public engagement to high-level inter-service coordination and international military collaboration.

Checks revealed that as Director of Defence Cooperation, Rear Admiral Dahun will be responsible for strengthening bilateral and multilateral military partnerships, coordinating joint training and strategic alliances, and facilitating defence diplomacy and regional security initiatives.

This posting aligns with the CNS’s broader vision to reposition the Navy for improved performance and deeper integration within Nigeria’s defence architecture.

According to a statement issued by Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Naval Information, the reshuffle also saw key appointments across Naval Headquarters, operational commands, and defence institutions:

While Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi was named Chief of Logistics at NHQ, Rear Admiral Kasim Bushi became Executive Director at the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria, with Rear Admiral Mohammed Muye appointed as Commandant of the Naval War College Nigeria.

Others are: Rear Admiral Paul Efe-Oghene as Director, Development and Production, Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB); Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha is the new FOC, Western Naval Command (WNC); while Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu retained his position as Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited. These changes underscore a deliberate effort to inject fresh leadership into critical areas of the Navy structure.

Rear Admiral Dahun’s tenure as Director of Naval Information was marked by transparency, strategic messaging, and effective media engagement. His new role at DHQ builds on that legacy, positioning him to foster trust and collaboration across defence platforms.

Vice Admiral Abbas, while congratulating the newly appointed officers, emphasized the need for renewed dedication and professionalism, noting that the reshuffle is part of a broader transformation to enhance discipline and protect Nigeria’s maritime domain.