THE Nigerian Navy has disclosed that the country has the capacity and fleet to defend national security.
 It also disclosed that it is maintaining naval vessels for the Benin Republic and has received requests from other sub-regional countries for shipbuilding support.
 The Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, who disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Rutam House headquarters of The Guardian in Lagos, said the improved capacity of the Nigerian Navy positions it as an agile and professional maritime force capable of defending Nigeria’s maritime interests and advancing national security objectives to other countries.

He said Nigeria has the fleet to defend national security.
 “We have the strongest Navy in Africa in terms of the number of asset and we are trying to leverage more technology, as well as building our fifth ship, which is locally constructed as part of the seaward defence project. We started indigenous shipbuilding in 2007.”
 According to him, Nigeria’s rising maritime profile has been validated internationally, citing the 2026 Global Firepower Report, which ranked Nigeria as having the strongest naval fleet in Africa, with 152 vessels, and placed it 22nd globally.
 
This is just as he disclosed that the Nigerian Navy is set to celebrate its 70th anniversary with a fleet review and global symposium, with a renewed focus on technology-driven operations.
 He said the Navy will mark its platinum anniversary at the end of May and early June with two major events, including an International Fleet Review and the sixth edition of the Sea Power for Africa Symposium.
 Folorunsho said President Bola Tinubu is expected to review visiting fleets from partner nations around the world.
 
Folorunsho noted that Nigeria has previously participated in international fleet reviews in the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia and across Africa, noting that this year, Nigeria will host global maritime partners.
 He said the sixth Sea Power for Africa Symposium will bring together navies, maritime experts and policymakers under the theme: “Leveraging Technology for Enhancing Maritime Security in Africa.”
 Addressing questions on crude oil theft and the engagement of private security contractors for pipeline monitoring, Folorunsho clarified that the Navy’s constitutional mandate is to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity at sea and provide military assistance to civil authorities.
 
However, he acknowledged that pipeline protection is primarily the responsibility of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), but said the Navy provides operational support, especially in maritime and offshore environments.
 He pointed to improved crude production stability, referencing data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) that noted daily production figures have stabilised around 1.5 million barrels.
 Folorunsho said the Navy successfully advocated for the introduction of fiscalisation oversight at oil loading terminals to verify volumes loaded against approved figures.
 
According to him, out of about 32 loading terminals nationwide, naval personnel are currently deployed to several fiscalisation points, with plans to expand coverage after requisite safety training.
 Folorunsho also highlighted ongoing operations against illegal refining sites and crude theft networks in the creeks, describing the environmental and health implications of such activities as severe.
 Folorunsho maintained that the Navy remains focused on its constitutional role while supporting other agencies when required, noting that the Navy has extended operations to inland waterway policing, including providing security for dredging operations in the Lake Chad Basin to enhance navigability and patrol depth.
 
Folorunsho stressed that the Navy conducts round-the-clock patrols, including night operations, supported by drones, the Falcon Eye system and the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability infrastructure to ensure the country’s waters are secured.
 Reacting to concerns that improved security in the Gulf of Guinea has not translated into reduced war risk insurance premiums, Folorunsho described the issue as geopolitical and largely beyond the Navy’s direct mandate.
 He said agencies such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the presidency are responsible for diplomatic and policy-level advocacy and not the Navy.
 
He urged global maritime stakeholders to reassess Nigeria’s risk classification since the country has recorded zero-piracy in the past five years.
 Speaking on reports of container vessels employing foreign armed security guards when entering Nigerian waters, Folorunsho argued that Nigeria does not permit foreign armed personnel onboard vessels within its waters.
 He referenced international Best Management Practices (BMP) and affirmed Nigeria’s sovereign enforcement stance, noting that the Navy is positioned to secure every vessel that sails on the country’s waters.
 
Folorunsho praised The Guardian’s reportage and solicited collaboration.
 Responding to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by foreign interests, particularly Chinese operators, Folorunsho said fishing licences in Nigeria are issued only to Nigerian entities.