The Nigerian Navy said it has completed five locally built vessels since 2010, while two seaward defence boats and a ferry are still under construction.
The Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Akinola Olodude, said this on Thursday at a briefing in Abuja to announce activities for the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary. He spoke on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
Olodude said the Navy had progressed significantly from its early days, when it inherited just 11 crafts and about 250 officers and men from the Royal Navy, to what he described as Africa’s strongest naval fleet.
“Furthermore, the Navy has embarked on shipbuilding and has constructed five vessels since 2010. These include a ferry, a dockboat, and three seaward defence boats,” he said.
He said the ongoing projects are being handled at indigenous shipyards in Lagos and Port Harcourt.
“Presently, the Naval Shipyard Limited in Port Harcourt is constructing a 27-metre ferry for the Akwa Ibom State Government, while the Naval Dockyard Limited in Lagos is constructing two seaward defence boats of 44.2 metres in length,” he said.
He added that the Naval Dockyard has also expanded its technical reach beyond Nigeria by refitting warships for neighbouring countries.
“It might also interest you that the Naval Dockyard Limited refitted three warships for the Benin Republic Navy between 2024 and 2025 and is presently refitting three more for the Benin Republic Navy,” he said.
Olodude described local shipbuilding as one of the Navy’s proudest achievements in its 70-year history.
“The aspect of shipbuilding is something that we should be proud of as Nigerians. For the fact that we can build our ships,” he said.
He said the Navy now has more than 34,000 personnel and remains the strongest fleet in Africa.
The indigenous vessels will participate in the International Fleet Review scheduled for June 1 at the Eco Atlantic Waterfront in Lagos. He said they also led the presidential fleet review held in 2023.
The anniversary activities will culminate in the inauguration of three vessels by President Bola Tinubu.
The celebrations will begin on May 23, 2026, with special Jumu’ah prayers across naval formations nationwide.
On May 25, the Navy will take selected civilians on a sea experience exercise, drawn from more than 14,000 applicants in a transparent online selection.
On May 26, commissioning activities will be held across several units, while May 27, Children’s Day, will feature nationwide community outreach programmes focused on children.
