The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has commended the Nigerian Navy on the occasion of its sixty-ninth anniversary, recognising their vital role in protecting Nigeria’s hydrocarbon assets, sea lines of communication, and coastal territories.
Yesterday, 1st June 2025, I attended the Nigerian Navy’s 69th Anniversary Ceremonial Sunset and Dinner at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, as the Special Guest of Honour.
As we commemorate 69 years of the Nigerian Navy’s steadfast service to the nation, I pay tribute… pic.twitter.com/7NhERFvmre
— Dr. Bello Matawalle (@Bellomatawalle1) June 2, 2025
In a statement released by Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Defence on Media, Matawalle described the Nigerian Navy as “a strategic instrument of national power projection, maritime interdiction, and critical infrastructure protection.”
The Minister made these remarks during the Nigerian Navy’s 69th Anniversary Ceremonial Sunset Dinner held at Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos on 1 June 2025.
Addressing officers, ratings, and civilian personnel, Matawalle said, “The expectations of the nation are immense. Maintain your discipline unwaveringly, and keep your resolve unbreakable. The Federal Government stands firmly behind you and will continue to provide the necessary tools of war, platforms of deterrence, and technologies of dominance.”
He emphasised that the enduring spirit of service, honour, and fidelity to the nation must remain the guiding principles 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 efforts to improve fleet readiness, personnel welfare, and joint operational integration.
He reiterated the unwavering support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the Nigerian Navy’s evolving strategic vision, posture, and capability enhancement.
Matawalle further praised the Navy for maintaining a high state of combat readiness amid increasingly complex security challenges, particularly within Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Gulf of Guinea. He stressed that maritime security is central not peripheral to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“To invest in the Navy’s capacity is to strengthen the very foundation of national progress. The security of our maritime domain is non-negotiable.”
The Minister acknowledged the Navy’s operational successes in curbing piracy, oil theft, sea robbery, and illegal bunkering along Nigeria’s maritime corridor. He attributed these gains to sustained deployments, intelligence-driven patrols, and effective interdiction operations.
He also commended the Navy’s collaboration with domestic and international security and intelligence agencies, which has significantly contributed to restoring order in Nigeria’s strategic maritime zones.
A 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 designed as a rapid deployment force with advanced special operations capabilities, primarily focused on land-based missions supporting Nigeria’s internal security efforts.
This strategic initiative forms a key part of the Nigerian Navy’s broader force restructuring programme, aimed at addressing evolving internal security challenges nationwide. During the ceremony, Bello Matawalle also launched the official Nigerian Navy 70th Anniversary logo, marking the start of a 12-month countdown to the Navy’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations scheduled for June 2026.
He described the milestone as an occasion for reflection, strategic reassessment, and renewed dedication to maritime dominance within Africa and beyond.
The event marked a significant chapter in the history of the Nigerian Navy, celebrating nearly seven decades of steadfast commitment to Nigeria’s maritime security, internal stability, and regional peacekeeping.
