[1] The chief of the naval staff is usually the highest ranking and most senior admiral to serve in the Nigerian Armed Forces unless the chief of defence staff is a naval officer.

The position is often occupied by the most senior commissioned officer appointed by the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

[2] The Statutory duty of the Officer is to formulate and execute policies towards the highest attainment of National Security and operational competence of the Nigerian Navy.

[3] The current chief of the naval staff is Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla who was appointed in June 2023 by President Bola Tinubu to succeed Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo.

The table below is a chronological list of officers holding the position of Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).