President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sadness over the death of the Chief of Naval Operations of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Musa Katagum.
The senior naval officer died on Thursday after a prolonged illness. He was receiving medical treatment in Egypt before his death. He has since been buried in line with Islamic rites.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President condoled with the family of the deceased, officers and men of the Nigerian Navy, and the leadership of the Armed Forces.
According to the statement, President Tinubu described the passing of Rear Admiral Katagum as a major loss to the military and the country.
“The President condoled with his family, officers and men of the Nigerian Navy, and the leadership of the Armed Forces over the loss,” the statement read.
It added that the President saw the death of the naval chief as a blow to the Armed Forces, considering his vast experience and valuable contributions to national security.
Rear Admiral Katagum served in several important positions during his career in the Navy. Before his appointment as Chief of Naval Operations in November 2025, he held key roles that placed him at the centre of military planning and coordination.
He served as Director of Presidential Communication at the Command and Control Centre, also known as PC4. In that role, he was responsible for coordinating communication between military units and the presidency on security matters.
He also served as Chief of Intelligence of the Nigerian Navy. In that position, he oversaw intelligence gathering and analysis, which are crucial in combating threats such as piracy, oil theft and maritime crime.
The Nigerian Navy plays a major role in protecting the country’s territorial waters and offshore resources. Nigeria’s coastline stretches for about 853 kilometres along the Gulf of Guinea, an area that has faced challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing and smuggling.
Over the years, the Navy has increased patrols and strengthened cooperation with other security agencies to secure the maritime domain.
Rear Admiral Katagum’s appointment as Chief of Naval Operations in November 2025 came at a time when the Armed Forces were intensifying efforts to address security challenges both on land and at sea.
As Chief of Naval Operations, he was responsible for overseeing naval missions, coordinating fleet activities and ensuring operational readiness.
Colleagues describe him as a disciplined officer who was committed to duty. The President, in his condolence message, commended him for his courage, leadership and dedication to mentoring younger officers.
Mentorship is seen as an important part of military service, as experienced officers help train and guide the next generation of leaders.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria consist of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Together, they are responsible for defending the country’s sovereignty and supporting civil authorities in times of crisis.
In recent years, the military has been involved in operations against insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and maritime crime in the Niger Delta and coastal areas.
The President prayed for the repose of Rear Admiral Katagum’s soul and asked God to grant comfort to his family, friends and colleagues during this period of mourning.
Messages of condolence have also begun to pour in from military officers and security experts who worked with the late naval chief.
They described him as a professional who carried out his duties with integrity.
The fact that he died after a prolonged illness has also drawn sympathy from many Nigerians. It was gathered that he had been undergoing medical treatment in Egypt before his passing.
Egypt is one of the countries where Nigerian officials sometimes seek specialised medical care.
His burial according to Islamic rites reflects his faith and follows religious tradition, which encourages prompt burial.
As the Navy and the Armed Forces continue their operations across the country, attention will now turn to the process of appointing a new Chief of Naval Operations.
Such appointments are usually made by the military high command in consultation with the presidency.
For many within the Navy, the passing of Rear Admiral Katagum marks the end of a distinguished career of service.
For the nation, it is a reminder of the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces who dedicate their lives to protecting Nigeria.
President Tinubu’s message highlights the importance of honouring those who serve and recognising their contributions even after their death.
As the country mourns, military officers are expected to hold internal tributes to celebrate the life and service of the late rear admiral.
His legacy, colleagues say, will remain in the structures he helped strengthen and in the officers he mentored during his years of service.
