NIGERIAN NAVY NAMES CAPTAIN ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO AS NEW DIRECTOR OF NAVAL INFORMATION

The Nigerian Navy has appointed Captain Abiodun Abidemi Folorunsho as its new Director of Naval Information and official spokesperson, following the approval of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas. The appointment took effect on Tuesday, January 27th, 2026, with Captain Folorunsho taking over from Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, who served in the role for over two years and has now been redeployed to a higher strategic position as Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, the service’s premier operational base.

In a statement released by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral A.O. Olodude, the service said the appointment reflects its’ commitment to strengthening strategic communication and operational effectiveness. Rear Admiral Olodude noted that Captain Folorunsho’s rich blend of operational experience, academic depth and exposure to international defence institutions makes him well suited to project the Navy’s activities professionally while enhancing public engagement and transparency.

Born on December 27th, 1979, in Benin City, Edo State, Captain Folorunsho is the son of the late Major Peter Adeboji Folorunsho (rtd) and Mrs. Rukayat Esther Folorunsho. He received his early education at Olua Primary School, Benin City and Army Command Children School, Zaria, before attending the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, for his secondary education between 1991 and 1996. He later gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1998 as a member of the 50 Regular Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy as a Sub Lieutenant in September 2003. Academically, he holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from the NDA and multiple postgraduate degrees, including an MSc in War Studies (Maritime) from the National Defence University, Islamabad; an MSc in International Affairs and Defence Studies from the NDA; an MSc in Energy Management from the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College. He also earned a Graduate Certificate in Ethics and Emerging Military Technology from the U.S. Naval War College.
Throughout his career, Captain Folorunsho has undertaken extensive professional training and served in diverse operational and strategic roles.

His courses include the Junior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji; the Senior Staff Course at the Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore; the United Nations Staff Officers Course at the SWEDINT Training Centre in Stockholm; the Naval Warfare Course at the Naval War College of Nigeria, Calabar and the Higher Defence Management Course at the U.S. Naval War College in 2023. Operationally, he served aboard Nigerian Navy Ships ERINOMI, AYAM, and BARAMA between 2003 and 2008, participated in Operation SAFE HAVEN (now Operation ENDURING PEACE) as Company Commander and Operations Officer in 2010, and later held key roles including Officer-in-Charge of the Boat Platoon at the Qua Iboe Terminal, Commanding Officer of the Navy’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence and Firefighting School in Sapele, Directing Staff at AFCSC and Military Liaison Officer at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.
He also served as Manager Production and Manager Plans at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Lagos, where he contributed to indigenous shipbuilding efforts, notably during the construction of NNS OJI, and later as Assistant Director, Research and Development, at the Defence Cyber Operations Centre. Most recently, he was Chief Instructor in the Department of Maritime Warfare at AFCSC, Jaji, from 2023 to 2025, and subsequently Assistant Director, Plans/CNS Directive at Naval Headquarters. Beyond operations, Captain Folorunsho has extensive experience in public relations, editorial work across military publications and event anchoring for the Nigerian Navy and other tri-service organizations.

His awards include multiple Chief of the Naval Staff honours, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan Commendation Award and several service decorations. A fellow of leading military institutions and a member of professional bodies including the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, he is married to Mrs. Olawunmi Folorunsho and they have two children.