Odita Sunday 
Tinubu Hails Nigerian Navy as Africa’s Most Formidable Maritime Force at NN@70 Celebration
Flags off the Operationalization of Combined Maritime Task Force for Gulf of Guinea
By Odita Sunday
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the Nigerian Navy for emerging as the most formidable naval force in Africa, commending the service for its contributions to counter-insurgency, anti-terrorism operations, and maritime security across the country.
The President gave the commendation during the inauguration of three new warships, an International Fleet Review, and the launch of the Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF) held at the Eko Atlantic Waterfront in Lagos as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary celebration.
Tinubu said the transformation of the Navy from a modest colonial marine outfit established in 1956 into a modern maritime force reflects Nigeria’s progress and commitment to regional security and economic stability.
The event attracted heads of foreign navies and coast guards, senior military officers, diplomats, government officials, traditional rulers, and captains of industry.
According to the President, the anniversary celebration provided an opportunity not only to celebrate the achievements of the Nigerian Navy but also to reflect on its contributions to national security and economic prosperity.
“Since its humble beginning in 1956 as a colonial marine, the Nigerian Navy has evolved in tandem with our nation’s sovereignty, growing from a fledgling service into a modern, sophisticated naval power and an anchor of stability for Nigeria’s economic prosperity,” Tinubu stated.
The President also commended the Navy for sustaining the eradication of piracy in Nigeria’s territorial waters as well as reducing crude oil theft and other maritime crimes.
He noted that improved maritime security has enhanced the safety of coastal communities while supporting increased oil production and national economic growth.
Tinubu further praised the display of naval assets during the fleet review, describing it as evidence of growing international confidence in the Nigerian Navy and its role in strengthening maritime collaboration within the Gulf of Guinea.
He charged officers and ratings of the Navy to sustain professionalism and continue enhancing their operational capabilities in protecting Nigeria’s territorial waters and maritime resources.
“I charge the officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy to sustain this high standard of professionalism and continually deepen your operational capability and effectiveness in safeguarding our waters,” he said.
Earlier, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, said the Nigerian Navy had strengthened cooperation with regional and international partners to ensure the Gulf of Guinea maintains its zero-piracy status.
Abbas announced the formal launch of a Combined Maritime Task Force headed by Commodore Mohammed Shettima, noting that the initiative, supported by the President, would remain on standby to respond to emerging maritime threats across the sub-region.
According to him, the task force would also support humanitarian operations and peacekeeping missions within West Africa.
“This remarkable collaboration stands as a testament to our efforts and shared resolve. The task force will always be on standby to ensure maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea,” he stated.
The Naval Chief described the fleet review as a symbol of the collective commitment of participating nations toward peace, security, and stability within shared maritime spaces.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to modernise the Navy through fleet recapitalisation and the deployment of emerging technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles and artificial intelligence to enhance maritime domain awareness and rapid threat response.
Abbas said the addition of three new ships to the naval fleet would further strengthen operational capacity and improve efforts to combat crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, smuggling, and other maritime crimes.
The CNS further disclosed that the Navy recently trained and inducted its first batch of 328 marines, describing the newly established unit as an elite force developed in collaboration with allied partners to support maritime and inland security operations.
He pledged that the Navy would continue working with other security agencies and international allies to address emerging threats and protect national assets.
Abbas also reaffirmed the loyalty of officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy to the President and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The ceremony featured naval formation reviews, aerial combat displays, demonstrations by Nigerian and foreign naval assets, as well as the trooping of colours.
Dignitaries at the event included Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Gbenga Daniel, who represented Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabe Musa; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Service Chiefs and Inspector-General of Police, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), and former Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Saad Ibrahim ( rtd), former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd), among others.
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