President Bola Tinubu says sustained operations by the Nigerian Navy against crude oil theft and maritime crime have contributed to higher oil production, improved national revenue and strengthened investor confidence.
Tinubu made the remarks on Monday at the 2026 International Fleet Review held at the Eko Atlantic Waterfront in Lagos as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
The president, who served as the reviewing officer at the event, also inaugurated three naval vessels: NNS Oloibiri, NNS Mambila and NNS Gurara.
Tinubu’s commendation
Tinubu commended the navy for its operations against piracy, crude oil theft, illegal fishing, maritime smuggling and other transnational crimes in the Gulf of Guinea. He said the service had strengthened maritime security through surveillance systems, rapid response mechanisms and enforcement operations.
“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,” he said in the statement.
He added that these efforts had improved security in coastal communities and supported economic growth through increased oil production.
The president described the navy as a key pillar of national and regional security, noting its role in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations across the country. He also praised the Special Boat Service for what he called professionalism in complex missions and expressed confidence that the deployment of naval marines to operational theatres would further enhance security outcomes.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the navy through investment in modern platforms, surveillance technology, personnel welfare and training.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, attributed recent operational gains to policy support and investments by the federal government. He said improved platforms, enhanced surveillance systems and inter-agency collaboration had strengthened Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and enabled more sustained operations against piracy and crude oil theft.
He added that these measures had improved efforts to tackle illegal fishing, sea robbery and other maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
The event was attended by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and service chiefs.
Naval chiefs from Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea also attended, alongside delegations from several European countries.
