The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, has tasked senior naval officers to deploy emerging technologies, strategic thinking and professional expertise to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime security.
Abbas gave the charge on Tuesday in Calabar at the graduation ceremony of participants of Naval Warfare Course 10 at the Naval War College Nigeria.
He said the rapidly changing security environment required commanders capable of integrating technology, operational capabilities and inter-agency cooperation to address contemporary threats.
The CNS said the course had provided the participants with opportunities for rigorous intellectual engagement, operational planning, wargaming, research and professional interaction.
He urged the graduating officers to translate the knowledge acquired into sustainable operational capabilities that would contribute to national security.
Abbas said a research project titled “Adopting Emerging Technology for Operational Effectiveness in the Nigerian Navy: The Way Forward for Naval Engineering” had underscored the importance of technological advancement to modern naval operations.
According to him, maritime security remains inseparable from Nigeria’s economic security, given the importance of offshore resources, ports, shipping routes and energy infrastructure to national development.
He said Nigeria had recorded zero reported piracy incidents in its waters for four consecutive years, while piracy incidents across the wider Gulf of Guinea had also declined significantly.
He, however, stressed the need to sustain the gains through persistent maritime domain awareness, credible presence at sea, regional cooperation and timely response to threats.
The CNS said the Nigerian Navy was also committed to stabilising the maritime environment through operations aimed at tackling crude oil theft, illegal mining and other forms of economic sabotage.
He said Nigeria’s crude oil production reached about 1.56 million barrels per day in June 2026, stressing that improved security in the maritime domain had broader implications for the nation’s economy.
Abbas said the Navy’s responsibilities extended beyond the maritime environment, noting that its personnel and specialised capabilities continued to support joint operations against terrorism, insurgency and other threats to national security.
He said some naval elements were deployed alongside sister services in land-based theatres, making jointness and multi-domain operational capability increasingly important.
The CNS also charged the officers to remain apolitical, professional and impartial, particularly as the country approaches another electoral cycle.
He said officers who might be called upon to perform constitutionally authorised security duties must operate strictly within the law and preserve the confidence of citizens.
“Your decisions must remain grounded in the Constitution, the law, professional ethics and respect for human dignity,” he said.
Abbas urged the officers to continue building professional relationships across services and national boundaries, saying collaboration and interoperability were critical to addressing shared security challenges.
He commended the Commandant, faculty and staff of the Naval War College Nigeria for sustaining professional military education and urged them to keep the curriculum responsive to emerging technologies, multi-domain operations, maritime governance, logistics resilience, information warfare and the changing character of conflict.
The CNS also appreciated the support of President Bola Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to the Nigerian Navy and the Armed Forces generally.
He said investment in personnel welfare, equipment, accommodation and other support structures remained important to maintaining morale and operational readiness.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Naval War College Nigeria, Rear Adm. Muhammed Muye, said the graduation marked another significant milestone in the institution’s efforts to prepare senior officers for higher responsibilities in command, staff and strategic leadership.
Muye said the CNS’s presence at the ceremony demonstrated his commitment to professional military education and the development of intellectually sound and operationally minded leaders.
He noted that the CNS had visited the college seven times within the year, describing the frequency as a demonstration of his interest in the institution and the development of its personnel.
According to him, the contemporary maritime security environment is complex, dynamic and multidimensional, requiring leaders with strategic adaptability and the ability to collaborate across military services, government institutions and international partners.
He said the Naval Warfare Course had maintained its tradition of providing high-quality operational-level education for officers of the Nigerian Navy, sister services and allied countries.
Muye said participants were exposed to strategic studies, operational art, maritime security, leadership development, defence management, research projects, seminars, simulation exercises and educational visits.
He said the activities were designed to broaden participants’ perspectives, strengthen their analytical capabilities and enhance their ability to provide sound military advice in complex security environments.
The commandant commended the graduating officers for demonstrating commitment, discipline, intellectual curiosity and professionalism throughout the course.
He urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, embrace innovation and continue lifelong learning as they assume greater responsibilities.
Muye also emphasised the importance of jointness and inter-agency cooperation, saying the professional networks established during the course would remain valuable throughout the officers’ careers.
He commended the faculty, directing staff, administrative personnel, support staff, resource persons, partner institutions and strategic stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the course.
He also acknowledged the support of the families of the graduating officers, describing their encouragement and sacrifices as critical to the successful completion of the demanding programme.
The commandant congratulated the participants and urged them to justify the training by making decisions with integrity, humility and sound professional judgment.
Participants from Cameroon, Ghana and Liberia also took part in the course.
The graduation marked the completion of an intensive programme designed to equip senior military officers with the knowledge and skills required for command, staff and strategic responsibilities.
The officers are expected to return to their respective services and countries to apply the knowledge acquired in addressing emerging security challenges.
