President Bola Tinubu on Monday praised the Nigerian Navy for 70 years of safeguarding the country’s maritime domain and commissioned three naval vessels at an international fleet review marking the service’s anniversary.
Speaking at the 2026 International Fleet Review at Eko Atlantic Waterfront in Lagos, Tinubu described the Navy as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s security architecture, citing its role in combating piracy, crude oil theft, illegal fishing, smuggling and other maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
The president who commissioned three vessels NNS Oloibiri, NNS Mambila and NNS Gurara, said the Navy’s operations against crude oil theft and maritime criminality had contributed to higher oil production, increased government revenue and improved investor confidence.
He also commended the Navy’s contributions to counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, particularly the performance of its Special Boat Service and the recent deployment of Nigerian Navy Marines to operational theatres.
Tinubu said the Navy’s efforts, supported by surveillance systems, rapid-response mechanisms and enforcement operations, had helped eradicate piracy in Nigerian waters and significantly reduced crude oil theft and related crimes.
“Nigeria’s maritime domain remains a vital pillar of our economy and a major source of foreign exchange,” he said.
Tinubu added that the service’s achievements had strengthened security in coastal communities and supported economic growth.
The president reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the Navy through investment in modern platforms, advanced technology, personnel welfare, training and capacity development.
He also thanked foreign naval delegations and partner nations attending the event, saying their participation reflected growing international cooperation on maritime security.
Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas attributed the Navy’s recent successes to government support, strategic investments and improved inter-agency collaboration.
He said the acquisition of modern platforms and enhanced surveillance capabilities had strengthened Nigeria’s maritime security framework and enabled the Navy to intensify operations against piracy, oil theft, sea robbery and illegal fishing.
Abbas pledged the continued loyalty of naval personnel to the constitution and the president, while reaffirming the service’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The event was attended by senior government officials, military chiefs, foreign naval delegations from Gulf of Guinea countries and representatives from several European nations.