By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Navy has strengthened its indigenous shipbuilding capacity and maritime special operations capability through a strategic engagement with a delegation from the Egyptian Navy Special Forces Brigade under an ongoing cross-attachment programme between the two naval forces.
As part of the visit, the Egyptian delegation was hosted at Naval Dockyard Limited (NDL) in Lagos, where they were briefed on the dockyard’s operational activities and technical capabilities in depot maintenance, ship design, and ship construction.
The engagement also featured detailed technical discussions and a guided tour of key dockyard facilities, providing a platform for both navies to exchange professional knowledge and strengthen collaboration in indigenous shipbuilding, maintenance, and sustainment of naval platforms.
In an official statement, the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the engagement reflects the Nigerian Navy’s growing commitment to capacity development and strategic defence cooperation.
Folorunsho disclosed that in a related development, the visiting delegation also participated in intensive joint training exercises with the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (NNSBS).
According to him, the training focused on advanced operational areas including maritime interdiction operations, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS), and hostage rescue missions.
The exercise featured complex tactical scenarios involving coordinated operational insertions and real-time mission simulations, followed by structured debrief sessions during which both naval forces exchanged operational insights, evaluated tactics, and shared best practices in maritime special operations.
He noted that the combined engagements underscore the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to build a technologically capable and combat-ready force through sustained training, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration.
The initiatives, he added, align with the strategic vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, which prioritises strengthening indigenous capabilities, improving operational effectiveness, and deepening defence diplomacy.
The Nigerian Navy, he said, remains committed to projecting maritime power, fostering regional cooperation, and safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests through strategic partnerships and continuous capacity development.
