Nigerian Navy Appoints Captain Abiodun Folorunsho as New Spokesperson

The Nigerian Navy has appointed Captain Abiodun Abidemi Folorunsho as the new Director of Naval Information and Spokesperson, following the approval of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas. 

Captain Folorunsho formally assumed duty on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, taking over from Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, who served in the role for over two years and has been redeployed to a higher strategic appointment as Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, the Navy’s premier base in Lagos.

The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral A.O. Olodude.

Background and Education

Born on December 27, 1979, in Benin City, Edo State, Captain Folorunsho is from the family of the late Major Peter Adeboji Folorunsho (rtd) and Mrs Rukayat Esther Folorunsho. He attended Olua Primary School, Benin City, and Army Command Children School, Zaria, before proceeding to the Nigerian Military School (NMS), Zaria, where he completed his secondary education in 1996.

He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1998 as a member of the 50 Regular Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy as a Sub-Lieutenant in September 2003.

Captain Folorunsho holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) from the NDA and multiple postgraduate qualifications, including an MSc in War Studies (Maritime) from the National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan; an MSc in International Affairs and Defence Studies from the NDA, Kaduna; an MSc in Energy Management from the World Maritime University, Malmö, Sweden; and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College, Rhode Island. He also earned a Graduate Certificate in Ethics and Emerging Military Technology from the US Naval War College.

Professional Training and Career Profile

Throughout his career, Captain Folorunsho has undertaken extensive professional training both locally and internationally. His courses include the Junior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji; Senior Staff Course at the Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore; United Nations Staff Officers Course at the SWEDINT Training Centre, Stockholm; Naval Warfare Course at the Naval War College of Nigeria, Calabar; and the Higher Defence Management Course at the United States Naval War College in 2023.

His early sea appointments included service aboard NNS ERINOMI, NNS AYAM, and NNS BARAMA as Watchkeeping Officer and Marine Engineering Officer between 2003 and 2008.

He later participated in Operation SAFE HAVEN (now Operation ENDURING PEACE) as Company Commander and Operations Officer, Bravo Company, from January to October 2010, and served as Officer-in-Charge, Boat Platoon, at the Qua Iboe Terminal, ExxonMobil, Ibeno, between 2010 and 2011.

Captain Folorunsho has held several key command and strategic appointments, including Commanding Officer, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence and Firefighting School, Nigerian Navy Institute of Technology, Sapele; Directing Staff at AFCSC, Jaji; and Military Liaison Officer at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Between 2018 and 2019, he served as Manager, Production, and Manager, Plans at Naval Dockyard Limited, Lagos, where he played a significant role in the Navy’s indigenous shipbuilding programme, including the construction of NNS OJI. He also served as Assistant Director, Research and Development at the Defence Cyber Operations Centre.

Prior to his appointment as Naval Spokesperson, he was Chief Instructor, Department of Maritime Warfare, AFCSC, Jaji (2023–2025), and later Assistant Director, Plans/CNS Directive at Naval Headquarters.

Public Communication Experience

Captain Folorunsho brings considerable public relations and strategic communication experience to his new role. He has contributed to editorial work across several Nigerian Armed Forces publications and has compered numerous local, national, and international engagements for the Nigerian Navy, sister services, and tri-service institutions. He has also served as a resource person on public speaking and protocol management at professional military education institutions nationwide.

Awards and Honours

An accomplished officer, he is a two-time recipient of the Chief of the Naval Staff Award for Best Graduating Student—first at the Department of Maritime Warfare, AFCSC, Jaji (2009), and later at the Naval War College of Nigeria (2019). He also received the Force Commander UNMISS Commendation Award in 2017.

His decorations include the Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, United Nations Medal, Passed Staff Course Dagger (psc+), General Operations Medal, Silver Eagle Award, and Golden Eagle Award.

Captain Folorunsho is a Fellow of the Naval War College Nigeria and the United States Naval War College, a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and COREN, an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and the Nigerian Institute of Management. He is also a Fellow of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan, and the United States Naval War College Foundation.

He is happily married to Mrs Olawunmi Folorunsho, and the marriage is blessed with two children.