Tinubu hails Navy for eradicating piracy in Nigerian waters

President Bola Tinubu on Monday declared that the Nigerian Navy had successfully eradicated piracy in the country’s territorial waters.

Tinubu gave the commendation when he commissioned three Naval vessels and reviewed a fleet of warships from Nigeria and allied nations at the 2026 International Fleet Review held at the Eko Atlantic Waterfront, Lagos.

The event formed part of a lineup to mark the Navy’s 70th anniversary.

According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the three vessels, NNS Oloibiri, NNS Mambila and NNS Gurara, joined the fleet, which has undergone significant expansion in recent years as the Navy intensified operations against piracy, crude oil theft, illegal fishing and maritime smuggling in the Gulf of Guinea.

Serving as Reviewing Officer at the event, Tinubu praised the Navy’s record in the maritime domain and directly linked its successes to improvements in oil production, national revenue and investor confidence.

He said, “Through the effective integration of surveillance systems, rapid response mechanisms and robust enforcement operations, you have successfully eradicated piracy in our waters and significantly curtailed crude oil theft and associated maritime crimes.

“These achievements have enhanced the security of our littoral communities and contributed to increased oil production, thereby supporting national economic growth.”

The Commander-in-Chief also highlighted the Navy’s expanding role beyond the sea.

He said, “Beyond the maritime domain, I also commend the Nigerian Navy for its contributions to counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations across the country.

“The courage and professionalism demonstrated by the Special Boat Service in executing complex missions are truly commendable.

“More so, with the recent induction of the Nigerian Navy Marines into operational theatres, I am confident that even greater successes will be recorded. Indeed, the Nigerian Navy has become an indispensable pillar of both national and regional security.”

On the significance of the country’s maritime domain to the national economy, the President stated, “Nigeria’s maritime domain, endowed with immense natural wealth, remains a vital pillar of our national economy, serving as a major source of foreign exchange and a critical artery for global trade.

“I commend the Nigerian Navy for its steadfast guardianship of this strategic space.”

He also used the occasion to reaffirm the administration’s commitment to continued investment in the Navy.

“As we look to the future, I am confident that the Nigerian Navy will sustain this momentum and continue to secure the maritime environment as a thriving engine of our blue economy,” Tinubu said, pledging continued investment in modern platforms, advanced technology, personnel welfare, training and capacity development.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the Navy’s recent successes were the product of strategic investment and sustained policy support.

Abbas highlighted that the acquisition of modern platforms, enhanced surveillance capabilities and sustained inter-agency collaboration had strengthened Nigeria’s maritime security architecture.

The Naval Chief reaffirmed the loyalty and commitment of officers and ratings to the Constitution and the President.

The event drew chiefs of naval staff from Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, which Onanuga said highlighted the regional dimension of the security challenge in the Gulf of Guinea.

Delegations from European countries and former Nigerian Service Chiefs were also part of the exercise.

Senior government officials present included former Ogun State Governor and Senate Committee Chairman on Navy, Senator Gbenga Daniel, who represented the Senate President; Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman and Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; House Committee on Navy Chairman Yusuf Gagdi; Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa (retd); Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke; and Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu.

The Nigerian Navy was established on June 19, 1956, two years before independence, originally as a branch of the Royal Nigerian Navy under British naval traditions.

It has since evolved into a force operating across Nigeria’s over 800 kilometres of coastline and an Exclusive Economic Zone of approximately 200 nautical miles.