Exactly two years ago, on June 23, 2023, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla assumed office as the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on June 19, 2023. Since then, the Nigerian Navy has undergone significant transformations under his leadership.
Over the past two years, the Navy has intensified its operational responses, particularly in anti-piracy, anti-oil theft, and anti-smuggling operations. It has also recorded progress in joint military operations, fleet recapitalisation, hydrographic mapping, establishment of new bases, and regional and international collaborations.
Notably, Nigeria has not recorded any piracy incidents in its waters since March 3, 2022, following the country’s removal from the list of piracy-prone nations by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). The Navy has maintained consistent presence at sea, drastically reducing sea robbery cases.
In January 2024, Vice Admiral Ogalla launched Operation Delta Sanity to combat crude oil theft. The operation was restructured in December 2024 to incorporate aerial surveillance and enhanced intelligence. These efforts have led to the arrest of 76 vessels and 242 suspects, while 808 illegal refining sites, 2,411 dugout pits, and 5,421 storage facilities were destroyed. Additionally, the Navy seized 58 arms, 276 rounds of ammunition, 101 speedboats, 59 pumping machines, 38 outboard engines, and various other equipment from criminal elements.
These interventions have significantly improved crude oil terminal outputs along the Trans-Niger, Trans-Escravos, and Trans-Forcados pipelines, with operational integrity reaching 98 to 100 percent since Q3 2024.
Today, the Nigerian Navy is operating at its highest level of readiness and ranks as the third-largest navy in Africa, following Egypt and Algeria.
Vice Admiral Ogalla’s tenure has also been marked by several infrastructural and strategic achievements across the country. These include:
* Construction and renovation of naval bases, jetties, administrative blocks, training facilities, and residential quarters in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Maiduguri, Sapele, Yenagoa, and Enugu.
* Establishment of specialized commands and units such as the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Madueke, NN Special Operations Command, NN Marines, and the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION).
* Operationalisation of the NN Sealift Capability (NNS Kada) in support of African Union missions.
* Acquisition of platforms such as the NNS Shere, NNS Faro, NNS Ikogosi, and three Augusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters.
* Launch of indigenous shipbuilding projects, including Seaward Defence Boats 4 and 5 at the Naval Dockyard, Lagos.
* Continued improvement in personnel welfare and living conditions.
Under his watch, the Nigerian Navy has made measurable strides in professionalism, combat readiness, and maritime security — positioning itself as a vital element in safeguarding Nigeria’s national maritime interests.
As the Navy commemorates two years under Vice Admiral Ogalla’s leadership, the service reflects on his efforts to transform the institution into a competent, ethical, and formidable maritime force aligned with national security imperatives.
Happy anniversary to the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Nigerian Navy family.
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#OnwardTogether
Nigerian Navy Marks Two Years of Leadership Under Vice Admiral Ogalla
