By Tunde Ojudun
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as Commander of the Maritime Guard Command (MGC) at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). He succeeds Commodore H.C. Oriekeze, who has been redeployed.
Commodore Adoki, a seasoned Warfare Officer with expertise in communication and intelligence, brings 25 years of distinguished service in the Nigerian Navy. His career spans training, staff duties, and operational command. He has led several naval vessels, including NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa, and NNS Kada—where he oversaw the ship’s historic maiden voyage from the United Arab Emirates to Nigeria.
Commissioned in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics, Adoki has pursued advanced academic training, earning a Master’s in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an MSc in Terrorism, Security, and Policing from the University of Leicester, UK. He is currently undertaking a Ph.D. in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy. His service record is decorated with multiple medals for excellence and dedication.
Welcoming the new Commander, NIMASA Director General Dr. Dayo Mobereola expressed confidence that Adoki’s appointment will further strengthen Nigeria’s maritime security architecture, citing his wealth of experience and leadership.
The Maritime Guard Command, domiciled within NIMASA, was established under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Navy to enhance operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters. Its mandate includes enforcing maritime safety, security, and regulatory compliance.