President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned a fleet of advanced naval assets to strengthen the Nigerian Navy’s operational capabilities, marking a significant step in securing the nation’s maritime borders.
The ceremony, held at NNS BEECROFT in Apapa, Lagos, was led by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, representing the president.
The new assets include three warships—NNS IKOGOSI, NNS FARO, and NNS SHRE—alongside three AW109 Trekker helicopters and soon-to-be-integrated Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
“These patrol ships and helicopters are force multipliers in our fight against piracy, oil theft, illegal fishing, and other maritime crimes,” Matawalle said, according to a statement by his media aide, Ahmad Dan-Wudil.
The assets aim to enhance Nigeria’s maritime security and interdiction operations in the Gulf of Guinea, a vital global trade route.
The minister praised Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, for driving the Navy’s modernisation efforts.
“Under Vice Admiral Ogalla, the Nigerian Navy has pursued fleet modernisation with vigour, bridging capability gaps and restoring pride to our naval heritage,” he noted.
Matawalle also acknowledged the National Assembly’s bipartisan support in funding the acquisitions, highlighting the importance of legislative backing for Nigeria’s defence strategy.
International partnerships were credited for their role in the Navy’s advancements.
“The Gulf of Guinea’s safety is not Nigeria’s burden alone, but a global imperative,” Matawalle said, underscoring the collaborative effort in maritime security.
Addressing naval personnel, the minister urged discipline and patriotism.
“These assets are vessels of hope, entrusted to you by a nation that believes in your ability to safeguard its destiny,” he said.
Post-ceremony, Matawalle inspected the new platforms, receiving briefings on their operational capabilities.
At the Naval Air Base in Ojo, he observed a live demonstration of the UAVs, which will soon bolster the Navy’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operations.
This commissioning underscores Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its sovereignty, economic assets, and territorial waters, reinforcing its strategic presence in the Gulf of Guinea.