Navy builds 5 indigenous ships locally

Authorities of the Nigerian Navy, on Thursday, said it has completed five locally-built vessels since 2010, while two additional seaward defence boats and a ferry are currently under construction. The maritime force also disclosed that ongoing shipbuilding projects were being handled at indigenous shipyards in Lagos and Port Harcourt. The Chief of Naval Staff, Idi […]

Authorities of the Nigerian Navy, on Thursday, said it has completed five locally-built vessels since 2010, while two additional seaward defence boats and a ferry are currently under construction.

The maritime force also disclosed that ongoing shipbuilding projects were being handled at indigenous shipyards in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abass, a vice admiral, made this known to journalists at Naval Headquarters in Abuja during a press briefing to herald activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.

Abass, who spoke through the Chief of Policy and Plans, Akinola Olatunde, a rear admiral, noted that the force intensified its indigenous shipbuilding drive in order to tackle emerging threats on Nigeria’s waterways headlong.

The celebrations will formally begin on May 23, 2026, with special Jumu’ah prayers held across all naval formations nationwide. President Bola Tinubu is expected to inaugurate three vessels.

Speaking at the briefing, the top naval official maintained that threats such as piracy, sea robbery, among others, on the waterways as well as the Gulf of Guinea have drastically reduced.

He said, “The Navy has embarked on shipbuilding and has constructed five vessels since 2010. These include a ferry, a dockboat, and three seaward defence boats.

“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.”

The senior naval officer also disclosed that the Naval Dockyard had expanded its technical capabilities 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.