The Nigerian Navy has vowed to sustain the country’s four-year record of zero reported piracy incidents in its territorial waters while strengthening operations against emerging threats in the maritime domain.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, made this known on Tuesday in Calabar during the graduation ceremony of participants of Naval Warfare Course 10 at the Naval War College Nigeria.
Abbas said the achievement reflected improvements in maritime security, stressing that persistent maritime domain awareness, credible presence at sea, regional cooperation and timely response were essential to sustaining the gains.
“Encouragingly, Nigeria has maintained zero reported piracy incidents in our waters for four consecutive years, while incidents across the wider Gulf of Guinea have declined significantly.
“These gains must be sustained through persistent maritime domain awareness, credible presence at sea, regional cooperation and timely response,” he said.
The Chief of Naval Staff said maritime security remained closely linked to Nigeria’s economic security because of the importance of the country’s offshore resources, ports, shipping routes and energy infrastructure.
He said the Navy was intensifying operations against crude oil theft, illegal mining and other forms of economic sabotage capable of undermining national revenue.
“Nigeria’s crude oil production reached about 1.56 million barrels per day in June 2026, so sustained security of the maritime environment remains critical to protecting the country’s economic interests,” Abbas said.
The naval chief urged the graduating officers to build on the progress recorded in maritime security by deploying emerging technologies and innovative operational strategies.
“The rapidly changing security environment requires commanders capable of integrating technology, intelligence and operational capabilities across maritime, land, cyber and other domains.
“The graduating officers are expected to build on the gains recorded in maritime security by deploying emerging technologies and innovative operational strategies,” he said.
Abbas cited a research project presented by one of the participants, titled Adopting Emerging Technology for Operational Effectiveness in the Nigerian Navy: The Way Forward for Naval Engineering, as an indication of the growing importance of technology to future naval operations.
He noted that the Navy’s responsibilities extended beyond the maritime environment, with its personnel and specialised capabilities supporting joint operations against terrorism, insurgency and other threats to national security.
According to him, naval elements were also operating alongside sister services in land-based theatres, making joint operations and multi-domain capabilities increasingly important.
The CNS further charged the officers to remain apolitical, professional and impartial, particularly as Nigeria approaches another electoral cycle.
He said personnel deployed for constitutionally authorised security duties must operate within the law and preserve public confidence.
“Your decisions must remain grounded in the Constitution, the law, professional ethics and respect for human dignity,” Abbas said.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Naval War College Nigeria, Rear Admiral Muhammed Muye, said the course was designed to prepare senior officers for greater responsibilities in command, staff duties and strategic leadership.
Muye said the contemporary maritime security environment was becoming increasingly complex and required commanders with strategic adaptability and the ability to collaborate across military services, government institutions and international partners.
He said participants received training in strategic studies, operational art, maritime security, leadership, defence management, research, simulation exercises and other areas relevant to modern military operations.
The commandant commended the participants for demonstrating discipline, intellectual curiosity and professionalism throughout the course, urging them to apply the knowledge acquired to strengthen national security and uphold high standards of professional conduct.
Participants from Cameroon, Ghana and Liberia were among the 34 officers who completed Naval Warfare Course 10.
