President Bola Tinubu has praised the Nigerian Navy’s contributions to maritime security and economic protection as the service marked its 70th anniversary with the commissioning of three new naval vessels in Lagos.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Nigerian Navy for seven decades of service in protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain and safeguarding the nation’s economic interests.
The President made the remarks on Monday during the 2026 International Fleet Review held at the Eko Atlantic Waterfront in Lagos as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
As part of the celebration, Tinubu commissioned three naval vessels – NNS Oloibiri, NNS Mambila, and NNS Gurara – aimed at strengthening the Navy’s operational capacity and maritime security architecture.
Serving as the reviewing officer at the event, the President praised the Navy’s record in combating piracy, crude oil theft, illegal fishing, maritime smuggling, and other transnational crimes across the Gulf of Guinea.
Tinubu noted that sustained naval operations against crude oil theft and maritime criminality had contributed significantly to improved oil production, enhanced national revenue, and stronger investor confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
He also commended the Navy’s role beyond territorial waters, particularly its contributions to counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations across the country.
According to the President, the professionalism and operational effectiveness of the Navy’s Special Boat Service and the recent deployment of Nigerian Navy Marines into operational theatres have further strengthened national security.
“Indeed, the Nigerian Navy has become an indispensable pillar of both national and regional security,” Tinubu said.
The President described Nigeria’s maritime domain as a critical pillar of the national economy and a major source of foreign exchange and international trade.
He praised the Navy for integrating surveillance systems, rapid-response mechanisms, and enforcement operations that have helped eliminate piracy within Nigerian waters and significantly reduce crude oil theft and related maritime crimes.
Tinubu said the Navy’s operational achievements have improved security in coastal communities while supporting national economic growth through increased oil production.
He further described the anniversary theme, “Seven Decades of Operational Excellence,” as a reflection of the Navy’s performance and achievements over the years.
According to him, Nigeria remains committed to ensuring that the maritime environment continues to support the growth of the country’s blue economy.
The President also acknowledged the Navy’s collaboration with regional and international partners in keeping the Gulf of Guinea safer for commercial shipping and maritime activities.
He thanked foreign navies and friendly nations that participated in the International Fleet Review, describing their presence as evidence of growing international cooperation in maritime security.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening naval operations through continued investment in modern platforms, technology, personnel welfare, training, and capacity development.
He congratulated the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, naval officers, ratings, veterans, and their families on the milestone anniversary and urged them to remain committed to patriotism and national service.
Earlier, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Abbas, attributed the Navy’s recent successes to strategic investments, policy support, and leadership provided by the Federal Government.
He said the acquisition of modern platforms and enhanced surveillance systems, alongside inter-agency collaboration, had significantly strengthened Nigeria’s maritime security framework.
Abbas noted that these interventions enabled the Navy to intensify operations against piracy, crude oil theft, illegal fishing, sea robbery, and other transnational maritime crimes within the Gulf of Guinea.
Reaffirming the loyalty of naval personnel to the Constitution and national leadership, the naval chief pledged that the Service would remain vigilant in protecting Nigeria’s territorial waters and maritime assets.
He also paid tribute to serving and retired naval personnel whose sacrifices, he said, shaped the Nigerian Navy into a formidable force.
The International Fleet Review attracted senior government officials, security chiefs, foreign naval delegations, and former military leaders from across Africa and Europe.
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