…sets agenda for technology-driven maritime security in Africa
By Nkechi Eze
Seventy years after its establishment as a modest coastal defence force with only 250 personnel and 11 inherited vessels, the Nigerian Navy has evolved into one of Africa’s most formidable maritime forces, playing strategic roles in regional peacekeeping, anti-piracy operations, maritime security and national defence.
Over the decades, the Service has transformed from a limited post-colonial naval outfit into a blue-water navy with growing regional influence, modern fleet capabilities and expanding indigenous shipbuilding capacity, while contributing significantly to peace support operations across Africa and securing Nigeria’s vast maritime domain.
As part of activities marking its 70th Anniversary, the Nigerian Navy has now unveiled an elaborate programme of events designed to celebrate its historic achievements and project its future vision as a technologically advanced maritime force.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing at the Navy headquarters Abuja, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, ably represented by the Chief Policy and Plans, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Akinola Olodude, disclosed that the anniversary activities would commence immediately and run through June 4, 2026, across Lagos and all naval formations nationwide.
Rear Admiral Olodude described the platinum jubilee as a moment of deep reflection on the Navy’s historic journey, operational milestones and strategic contributions to national unity, regional stability and maritime security across Africa.
Tracing the history of the Service, he explained that the Nigerian Navy was established on June 1, 1956, as the Naval Defence Force with 250 officers and ratings as well as 11 ships inherited from the colonial Marine Department of the Royal Navy.
He noted that the Service became the Royal Nigerian Navy in 1958 before the “Royal” prefix was dropped in 1963 following Nigeria’s transition to a republic. The modern Nigerian Navy was subsequently established by Act No. 21 of Parliament in 1964 as a statutory branch of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Rear Admiral Olodude further highlighted that Commodore J.E.A Wey became the first Nigerian to head the Service in 1964 before later assuming the title of Chief of the Naval Staff and retiring in 1973 as a Vice Admiral.
He stated that what began as a force with limited operational mandate and a handful of retrofitted vessels has evolved into a blue-water navy capable of projecting power across the Gulf of Guinea and the wider West African sub-region.
The Service recalled its critical role during the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1970, where it executed strategic blockades, disrupted hostile supply lines, secured vital sea corridors and conducted amphibious operations that contributed significantly to preserving Nigeria’s unity.
Beyond national operations, the Navy highlighted its contributions to international peace support missions, including the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon during the 1970s where Nigerian naval assets transported medical supplies and logistical support for Nigerian peacekeeping troops deployed in Southern Lebanon.
The Navy also recounted its major operational role during the ECOMOG intervention in Liberia between 1990 and 1999, where it served as the logistical and combat backbone of the sub-regional mission through maritime embargo enforcement, naval gunfire support, humanitarian evacuations and strategic sealift operations.
Similarly, during peace support operations in Sierra Leone from 1997 to 2000, the Navy enforced United Nations and ECOWAS maritime sanctions, maintained combat patrols, secured Freetown harbour and ensured uninterrupted humanitarian supply operations.
The Service further cited its participation in the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia in 2017, where the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service and offshore patrol vessels contributed to the peaceful restoration of constitutional governance.
In 2022, the Navy again projected Nigeria’s strategic sealift capability during the ECOWAS Stabilisation Mission in Guinea-Bissau by transporting troops, tactical vehicles and military hardware following an attempted coup in the country.
Rear Admiral Olodude explained that these consistent regional interventions contributed to the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and the African Union in 2025, empowering the Nigerian Navy to provide strategic sealift support for peacekeeping, disaster response and personnel movement operations across the continent.
On maritime security, he disclosed that sustained anti-piracy operations had ensured Nigeria remained off the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy-prone nations list since 2022, significantly reducing shipping risks, insurance costs and trade disruptions.
The Navy also highlighted the achievements of the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office in charting key waterways including Lagos Harbour, Calabar Channel, Ibaka and other critical maritime routes to support safe navigation.
In the area of indigenous shipbuilding, Rear Admiral Olodude revealed that five vessels, including a ferry, a tugboat and three seaward defence boats, had been constructed locally since 2010.
He added that the Naval Shipyard Limited in Port Harcourt is currently constructing a 27-metre ferry for the Akwa Ibom State Government, while the Naval Dockyard Limited in Lagos is building two 44.2-metre seaward defence boats.
The Navy further disclosed that the Naval Dockyard Limited successfully refitted three warships for the Benin Republic Navy between 2024 and 2025 and is currently working on three additional vessels for the neighbouring country.
Operationally, the Service stated that it has remained actively involved in several joint internal security, counterterrorism and counter-insurgency operations nationwide alongside sister services and other security agencies.
Particular commendation was given to the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service for its contributions to numerous high-risk operations across the country.
The Navy also emphasized its role in combating crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta in line with the Federal Government’s directive to increase national oil production.
According to figures credited to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, these efforts have contributed to increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production from approximately 1.258 million barrels per day in January 2023 to about 1.71 million barrels per day as of April 2026.
The Service further disclosed that the 2026 Global Firepower Report ranked the Nigerian Navy as the strongest naval fleet in Africa, describing the recognition as a reflection of the Federal Government’s sustained fleet recapitalisation efforts.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Navy announced a series of activities beginning with special Jumat prayers across formations nationwide, followed by novelty shooting competitions and polo matches in Abuja.
Interdenominational church services will also hold nationwide, while 725 selected civilians will participate in a sea experience programme from Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar after a nationwide online raffle process that attracted over 14,000 applicants.
Other activities include ship commissioning ceremonies, children-focused community outreach programmes and the arrival of foreign naval ships from countries including Benin Republic, Brazil, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
The celebrations will also host heads of navies from 15 African countries, representatives of non-African navies, regional military commands and international organisations.
A major highlight of the anniversary will be the International Fleet Review scheduled for June 1, 2026, at the Eko Atlantic Waterfront in Lagos to be reviewed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is expected to troop and present new colours to the Nigerian Navy.
During the event, the President will also commission three vessels into service and formally inaugurate the Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea under the auspices of the African Union Peace and Security Council.
The multinational force, headquartered in Lagos, includes Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, and is aimed at combating transnational organised maritime crimes across the Gulf of Guinea.
The celebrations will further feature the Sixth Sea Power for Africa Symposium holding from June 2 to 3 under the theme: “Leveraging Technology For Enhanced Maritime Security In Africa.”
The Navy said the symposium would focus on the integration of technology, digitisation and networked maritime capabilities to address emerging asymmetric and fifth-generation warfare threats.
Rear Admiral Olodude reaffirmed the Service’s commitment under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, to evolving into a highly digitised and technologically advanced blue-water navy capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing to continental peace and security.
He also called on Nigerians and the media to continue supporting the Service as it advances into a new era of maritime excellence and operational readiness.
