Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
The Nigerian Navy has been ranked Africa’s strongest naval fleet in the Global Firepower Report 2026 as it begins celebrations marking its 70th anniversary.
The disclosure was made on Thursday in Abuja during an international press conference to unveil activities lined up for the Navy’s platinum jubilee celebration.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Akinola Olatunde Olodude, said the recognition reflects the Navy’s transformation from a small coastal force into a major maritime power with influence across the Gulf of Guinea and sub-Saharan Africa.
According to him, the Nigerian Navy, established in 1956 with only 250 personnel and 11 inherited vessels, has evolved into a strategic force driving regional security, maritime stability, anti-piracy operations, and peacekeeping missions across Africa.
Olodude noted that the Navy has played significant roles in regional military interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau under ECOWAS operations.
He also highlighted the Navy’s contributions to Nigeria’s internal security operations, anti-terrorism efforts, and the fight against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
According to the Navy, Nigeria has remained off the International Maritime Bureau’s list of piracy-prone countries since 2022 due to sustained maritime security operations.
The Navy added that anti-crude oil theft operations carried out in collaboration with other security agencies have contributed to increased national crude oil production, which rose from 1.258 million barrels per day in January 2023 to 1.71 million barrels per day as of April 2026.
Olodude further revealed that the Nigerian Navy has strengthened indigenous shipbuilding and repair capacity through local dockyards.
He said naval facilities in Lagos and Port Harcourt are currently constructing and refitting vessels, including warships for neighbouring countries.
He added that part of the anniversary celebrations will include the Navy hosting an International Fleet Review in Lagos on June 1, 2026, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to review the parade and commission three new naval vessels: NNS MAMBILA, NNS GURARA, and NNS OLOIBIRI.
Consequently, foreign naval ships from Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana are also expected to participate in the celebrations.
The anniversary activities, scheduled to run from May 21 to June 4, will include maritime exercises, symposiums, exhibitions, community outreach programmes, sporting events, and diplomatic engagements involving naval leaders from across Africa and beyond.
The Nigerian Navy said the milestone celebration reflects its commitment to becoming a more technologically advanced and highly digitised blue-water force capable of addressing emerging maritime security threats in Africa.