President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigerian Navy for its role in securing the nation’s maritime domain and combating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
Tinubu gave the commendation on Sunday during the International Fleet Review and commissioning of ships as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary celebration in Lagos.
The President also praised the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, for inaugurating the Combined Maritime Task Force, a security initiative aimed at strengthening maritime safety in the Gulf of Guinea.
He said the Navy had demonstrated professionalism through the effective deployment of surveillance systems, rapid response mechanisms and enforcement operations that had contributed to the eradication of piracy in the region.
Tinubu urged officers and ratings of the Navy to maintain high standards of professionalism and continue to improve their operational capabilities in protecting Nigeria’s territorial waters.
According to him, Nigeria’s maritime domain remains a critical component of the country’s economy, serving as a major source of foreign exchange earnings and facilitating international trade.
The President noted that since its establishment in 1956, the Nigerian Navy had evolved into a modern force playing a key role in national security and economic development.
He congratulated the service on its 70th anniversary and described it as one of the most formidable naval forces in Africa.
The event was attended by service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the National Security Adviser, among other dignitaries.
