The Nigerian Navy on Thursday climaxed its 70th anniversary celebrations with a grand Ceremonial Sunset Dinner and Awards Night at the Eko Convention Center, Victoria Island, Lagos, where top military officers, diplomats, foreign naval chiefs and government officials gathered to celebrate seven decades of maritime service and national security achievements.
The colourful event highlighted the Navy’s transformation from a modest colonial marine outfit established in 1956 into one of Africa’s most formidable maritime forces with growing influence across the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.
Special Guest of Honour and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), praised the Nigerian Navy for its professionalism, resilience and commitment to protecting the nation’s territorial waters and strategic assets.
He said the Navy had remained a steadfast guardian of Nigeria’s maritime frontiers while contributing immensely to regional stability, economic growth and the development of the nation’s blue economy.
According to him, the Ceremonial Sunset observed during the event symbolised discipline, honour, vigilance and continuity of service, noting that while individual watches may end, the spirit and mission of the Navy remain eternal.
The Defence Minister further stated that the awards segment of the celebration was designed to recognise courage, dedication and excellence among officers and ratings whose sacrifices often go unnoticed despite their critical contributions to national security.
He commended naval personnel for securing vital sea lanes, combating piracy, protecting offshore oil installations and supporting internal security operations across the country.
The minister also applauded the Navy’s expanding partnerships with friendly maritime nations and international allies, stressing that stronger collaboration remained essential to tackling emerging maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea.
Looking ahead, he said the Nigerian Navy must evolve into a highly technological and intelligence driven force capable of deploying advanced surveillance systems, cyber operations and unmanned platforms to maintain maritime superiority.
He assured the Navy of the Federal Government’s continued support in providing the resources and operational environment needed to sustain its modernisation agenda and strategic growth.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, in his opening remarks, described the dinner and awards night as the grand finale of weeks of activities commemorating the Navy’s platinum jubilee anniversary.
He welcomed representatives of the Armed Forces, the Inspector General of Police, heads of foreign navies and coast guards, diplomats, captains of industry and international partners who attended the celebration.
According to him, the presence of foreign delegations underscored the enduring alliances and strategic collaborations that have continued to strengthen the Nigerian Navy over the years.
Vice Admiral Abbas recalled that the Navy started operations with only a handful of patrol boats and about 250 personnel but has now grown into a formidable maritime institution with more than 152 naval vessels of different categories and classes.
He noted that the expansion represented not merely numerical growth but a major structural and operational transformation that has improved the Navy’s ability to tackle complex maritime threats.
The Naval Chief disclosed that collaborative operations with allied navies had helped Nigeria sustain zero piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea since 2022, a milestone validated by the International Maritime Bureau.
He explained that improved maritime security had significantly boosted investor confidence, reduced international cargo insurance costs and enhanced trade activities within Nigerian waters.
According to him, Nigeria’s blue economy valued at nearly three trillion dollars continues to benefit from sustained naval operations aimed at securing shipping lanes and protecting offshore infrastructure.
Vice Admiral Abbas also revealed that maritime revenue witnessed a sharp increase from about 700 billion dollars in 2023 to approximately 1.8 trillion dollars by 2025 due to improved maritime governance and security operations.
He identified operations such as Delta Sanity and other anti crude oil theft missions as critical interventions that have curbed illegal refining activities and protected national oil assets.
The Naval Chief further highlighted Nigeria’s participation in multinational exercises including Obangame Express and Grand African Nemo, saying such operations had strengthened interoperability with regional and global partners.
Foreign naval leaders at the event also stressed the importance of intelligence sharing and coordinated maritime operations in addressing transnational crimes across the Gulf of Guinea.
Chief of Naval Staff of The Gambia Navy, Commander Samba Barrow, described the newly launched Combined Maritime Task Force as a major step toward improving maritime security cooperation among participating countries.
He noted that no single country could independently confront maritime threats such as piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling and oil theft, insisting that collective regional action remained the only effective solution.
Acting Commander of the Liberian Coast Guard, Lieutenant Commander George Nkansua, equally expressed optimism that more African countries would join the regional maritime coalition as its operations expand.
The event ended with awards presented to distinguished naval officers and ratings in recognition of gallantry, innovation, professionalism and outstanding service to the Nigerian Navy and the nation.