On Monday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended the Nigerian Navy “for its seven decades of commitment and sacrifice in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and protecting the nation’s economic interests”.
The President’s commendation was announced via a State House Press Release on Monday 1 June, 2026.
President Tinubu was speaking at the 2026 International Fleet Review which took place at the Eko Atlantic Waterfront in Lagos as part of activities to honour the Navy’s 70th Anniversary.
Three (3) Nigerian Naval Vessels – NNS Oloibiri, NNS Mambila, and NNS Gurara – were also commissioned by the President.
President Tinubu, who was reviewing Officer at the occasion, extolled the achievements of the Navy in “combating piracy, crude oil theft, illegal fishing, maritime smuggling, and other transnational crimes in the Gulf of Guinea”.
The President particularly commended the Nigerian Navy’s “sustained efforts against crude oil theft and maritime criminality”. He acknowledged that, these operations by the Navy “have significantly boosted oil production, improved national revenue, and strengthened investor confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector”.
According to the State House Press Release signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said: “”Beyond the maritime domain, I also commend the Nigerian Navy for its contributions to counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations across the country. The courage and professionalism demonstrated by the Special Boat Service in executing complex missions are truly commendable.
“”More so, with the recent induction of the Nigerian Navy Marines into operational theatres, I am confident that even greater successes will be recorded. Indeed, the Nigerian Navy has become an indispensable pillar of both national and regional security,’’”
The President expressed appreciation to “friendly” Nations and foreign Navies for being present at the International Fleet Review; he described the event as a “testament to growing international cooperation for maritime security and collective prosperity”.
“”Nigeria’s maritime domain, endowed with immense natural wealth, remains a vital pillar of our national economy, serving as a major source of foreign exchange and a critical artery for global trade. I commend the Nigerian Navy for its steadfast guardianship of this strategic space”, the President said, according to the SHPR.
He added: “”Through the effective integration of surveillance systems, rapid response mechanisms and robust enforcement operations, you have successfully eradicated piracy in our waters and significantly curtailed crude oil theft and associated maritime crimes. These achievements have enhanced the security of our littoral communities and contributed to increased oil production, thereby supporting national economic growth””.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said, the successes achieved by the Nigerian Navy in recent years were made possible “by strategic investments, policy support, and strong leadership from the President”.
Chiefs of Naval Staff from Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea attended the event. Delegations from European nations, as well as, former Service Chiefs were present.
Photo: President Tinubu speaking at the 2026 International Fleet Review, hails Nigerian Navy on 70th anniversary
