Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, born on 20 September 1969 in Nassarawa LGA, Kano State, enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 and was commissioned in 1993 as part of 40 Regular Course. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Strategic Studies.
A specialist in Above Water Warfare, he completed key professional courses including the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course, Junior and Senior Staff Courses, Officers’ Long Course XII, UN Military Observer Course (Tanzania), and the National Defence College Course 23.
Throughout his career, he served on several Nigerian Navy ships and held major appointments such as Staff Officer at Naval Headquarters, Gunnery Officer NNS OHUE, Instructor at NNS QUORRA, Commanding Officer Burma Battalion NDA, Base Administrative Officer NNS PATHFINDER, Maritime Guard Commander NIMASA, and Commander Task Group Operation Tsare Teku.
He later rose to senior leadership roles, including Command Admin Officer, Chief Staff Officer, and Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command. He also served as Commander NNS VICTORY, Chief of Naval Safety and Standards (2023), Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations (2024), and Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Heritage Centre before being appointed the 25th Chief of the Naval Staff in 2025.
Vice Admiral Abbas has progressed through all naval ranks, becoming Rear Admiral in 2020. His awards include fss, MSS, DSS, GSS, DGSM, psc, and fdc. He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and the International Institute of Professional Security.