Rear Admiral Hassan Assumes Office as Western Naval Command FOC

Chiemelie Ezeobi

Rear Admiral Mustapha Bala Hassan, last Wednesday, assumed office as the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), the premier command of the Nigerian Navy (NN). 

Hassan took over from Rear Admiral Mohammed Miftah Abdullahi, who was held away from July 9 to October 11, 2023.

According to the Command Information Officer, Commander Patricia Ochei, the handing and taking over ceremony which included the Command Insignia given to the new FOC signified the official change of leadership for the command. 

Also, beyond this, there was a  lowering and the hoisting of the Command Flag, which signified the end of the former FOC’s tenure and the beginning of a new one.

After the ceremony, the outcome FOC  urged the officers of the command to give unflinching support to his successor like they gave to him during his tenure.

In turn, the new FOC urged the officers to ensure due commitment to duty in the service to the nation, just as he promised improved welfare for the officers and men of the command.

On the qualifications of the FOC, the CINFO said: “Rear Admiral Hassan DSS fdc(+) nwc(+) psc(+)(+) nswc MA MSc Communications Specialist PhD (In View), is a highly experienced and accomplished Communication Specialist with a wealth of knowledge in national security, war studies, and international relations.

“He has an impressive academic background and has completed military courses at various prestigious institutions. Rear Admiral Hassan’s experience includes Directing Staff at several military institutions, sea command, and shore command.

“He has received numerous awards in the course of his career. He hails from Kaduna State. He is currently running a Ph.D. at, the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and the University of Ibadan (In view).

“He has a Master of Science Degree in National Security and War Studies, National Defence University Islamabad, Pakistan, 2015.

“Master of Arts Degree in International Relations, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, 2007; Post Graduate Diploma in Electrical Electronics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, 2004; Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, 1992.

“The Senior officer has attended some military courses during his career; National Defence Course at the National Defence University Islamabad, Pakistan; and Senior Course, at Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Accra, Ghana.

“Others include the Officers Directing Staff Course, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; Junior Course, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna; and Officers’ Long Course, Nigerian Navy Ship QUORRA, Lagos.

Sub-Technical Course, Nigerian Navy Ship QUORRA, Lagos.”

On appointments held, she said he was Commandant Naval War College Nigeria, Calabar, Cross River State; Director Policy, Naval Headquarters Abuja; 

Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna; Chief Staff Officer, Logistics Command Headquarters, Oghara, Delta State.

Others include Commandant, Nigerian Navy Ship QUORRA, Lagos; Deputy Director Maritime Domain Awareness, Naval Headquarters Abuja; Directing Staff, National Defence College Abuja.

Directing Staff, Naval War College Nigeria; Directing Staff, Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College Accra, Ghana; and Directing Staff, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna.

In terms of Sea Command, he was the Commanding Officer of, the Nigerian Navy Ship NWAMBA and his hobbies include mentoring, travelling, golfing and sailing.