The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle has described the Nigerian Navy as “a strategic instrument of national power projection, maritime interdiction, and critical infrastructure protection that Affirms its indispensable role in safeguarding Nigeria’s hydrocarbon assets, sea lanes of communication, and coastal territories.
According to a statement by the Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Defence on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Matawalle stated this at the Nigerian Navy’s 69th Anniversary Ceremonial Sunset Dinner held at Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos on June 1, 2025.
Addressing officers, ratings, and civilian staff of the Nigerian Navy, Matawalle said “The expectations of the nation are immense. Let your discipline remain unshaken, let your resolve be unbreakable. The Federal Government stands firmly with you and will continue to provide the tools of war, platforms of deterrence, and technologies of dominance.”
He further stressed that the enduring spirit of service, honour, and fidelity to the nation must remain the guiding ethos of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The Minister lauded the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, for his visionary leadership, institutional reforms, and initiatives to enhance fleet readiness, personnel welfare, and joint operational integration.
He reaffirmed the President Tinubu administration’s steadfast support for the Nigerian Navy’s evolving vision, strategic posture, and capability expansion.
He equally commended the Nigerian Navy for maintaining a high state of combat readiness amid increasingly complex security dynamics—particularly within Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Gulf of Guinea. The Minister emphasized that maritime security is central—not peripheral—to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“To invest in the Navy’s capacity is to reinforce the foundational bedrock of national progress. The security of our maritime domain is non-negotiable.”
Matawalle acknowledged the Nigerian Navy’s operational achievements in curbing piracy, oil theft, sea robbery, and illegal bunkering across Nigeria’s maritime corridor. He attributed these improvements to sustained deployments, intelligence-driven patrols, and effective interdiction operations.
He also praised the Navy’s synergy with other domestic and international security and intelligence agencies, which has contributed significantly to restoring order in Nigeria’s strategic maritime zones.
A major highlight of the evening was the official unveiling of the Nigerian Navy Special Operations Command (NNSOC) logo by the Minister. The newly established Command is envisioned as a rapid deployment force with advanced special operations capabilities, primarily focused on land-based missions in support of Nigeria’s internal security efforts.
This strategic development is a key component of the Nigerian Navy’s broader force restructuring initiative, designed to address the evolving internal security challenges across the country. As part of the ceremonial sunset, Dr. Bello Matawalle also launched the official Nigerian Navy 70th Anniversary logo, initiating a 12-month countdown to the Navy’s Platinum Jubilee celebration slated for June 2026.
He described the milestone as an opportunity for reflection, strategic reassessment, and renewed commitment to maritime dominance within Africa and beyond.
The event marked a significant milestone in the history of the Nigerian Navy, celebrating nearly seven decades of unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s maritime security, internal stability, and regional peace enforcement.
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