President Bola Tinubu has attributed the achievement of zero piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea to the sustained efforts of the Nigerian Navy, describing the milestone as a major breakthrough in maritime security and regional stability.
Tinubu made the remarks on Monday during the International Fleet Review held to mark the 70th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.
The President, who was represented at the event by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Benja Dane, said the Navy’s sustained maritime operations, enhanced surveillance systems, rapid response capabilities, and stronger regional collaboration had significantly improved security across the Gulf of Guinea, leading to combating crude oil theft, eradication of piracy and other maritime in Nigerian waters.
According to him, the Navy’s efforts have strengthened security in the Gulf of Guinea and improved Nigeria’s economic fortunes by protecting critical maritime assets and boosting oil production and foreign exchange earnings.
“Through effective integration of surveillance systems, rapid response mechanisms and robust enforcement operations, you have successfully eradicated piracy in our waters. You have significantly curtailed crude oil theft and associated maritime crimes,” Tinubu said.
He noted that the Nigerian maritime domain remained a vital pillar of the nation’s economy and a major source of foreign exchange, stressing that maritime security was essential for national prosperity and global trade.
The President described the Navy as Africa’s most formidable naval force, adding that the achievement coinciding with the service’s 70th anniversary reflected its growth into a modern and sophisticated maritime institution.
“I must therefore extend my warmest congratulations to the Nigerian Navy for emerging as the most formidable naval force in Africa,” he said.
Tinubu also commended the Navy for its contribution to counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country, particularly the role of the Special Boat Service and the newly inducted Navy Marines.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the Navy through fleet recapitalisation, indigenous shipbuilding and acquisition of modern platforms.
The President further lauded the establishment of the Combined Maritime Task Force, describing it as a major step towards deepening multinational cooperation in maritime governance and security within the Gulf of Guinea.
He commended countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana and Liberia for supporting the initiative.
Earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the Nigerian Navy had continued to strengthen maritime security collaboration with foreign navies and coast guards, leading to improved security across the Gulf of Guinea.
Abbas noted that the Combined Maritime Task Force would remain on standby to tackle emerging maritime threats, support humanitarian operations and enhance peacekeeping efforts in the West African sub-region.
According to him, the Nigerian Navy has intensified efforts to curb crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, and smuggling by deploying advanced technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles and artificial intelligence.
He also disclosed that the Navy recently trained and inducted the first batch of 328 Nigerian Navy Marines in collaboration with allied partners to enhance maritime and inland security operations.
The naval chief pledged the continued loyalty of officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy to the Constitution and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The anniversary event attracted top government officials, foreign naval chiefs, diplomats, service chiefs, retired military officers and captains of industry.
