Navy seeks media partnership on maritime security initiatives
The Nigerian Navy (NN) has sought media collaboration for accurate reporting of its activities and maritime security successes. Its Director of Information (DINFO), Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said this when he
- Over 40 naval forces for International Fleet Review, others
The Nigerian Navy (NN) has sought media collaboration for accurate reporting of its activities and maritime security successes.
Its Director of Information (DINFO), Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said this when he visited this newspaper’s head office in Lagos.
Folorunsho highlighted the many successes the Navy has recorded over the years, including being ranked first in Africa and 22 in the world with a fleet strength of 152 vessels.
The DINFO noted that many Nigerians were not aware of the strength and capabilities of the Nigerian Navy.
He stressed that the NN plays a critical role in Nigeria’s economic prosperity, urging the media to support the service as its successes would directly impact the cost of goods and services, as well as translate to more resources for the country.
Folorunsho said the visit to The Nation was in line with the vision of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to build a modern, agile and professional naval force with the capacity to more effectively secure Nigeria’s maritime interests in collaboration with other security agencies.
The DINFO said some people had a lot of misconceptions about the operations and activities of the service, stressing that such people needed to be properly educated.
He also announced the activities lined up to mark the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary, scheduled for May, with an International Fleet Review expected to serve as the highlight of the celebration.
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Folorunsho announced that over 40 countries have indicated interest in participating in the fleet review, which will be hosted by Nigeria and reviewed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
He added that Nigeria would also host the sixth edition of the Seapower for Africa Symposium (SPAS), with the theme: Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Maritime Security in Africa.
The DINFO explained that the event would focus on the use of emerging technologies to strengthen maritime security across the continent.
According to him, the symposium will bring together maritime stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to develop collaborative strategies for tackling maritime threats and enhancing regional trade.
Folorunsho said the Navy’s operational successes include the eradication of piracy from Nigerian waters, which led to the removal of Nigeria from the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy-prone nations list in 2022.
“Since 2022, there has not been a single recorded piracy incident in Nigerian waters,” he said, adding that the development has contributed to reduced shipping insurance premiums and improved economic activities.
The DINFO stated that the Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF), aimed at strengthening regional maritime cooperation, was already operational and headed by Commodore Mohammed Saghir Shettima.
He said the initiative seeks to enhance collaboration among African navies in safeguarding maritime trade routes, which account for about 90 per cent of global trade.
Folorunsho also reaffirmed the operational status of the Nigerian Naval Ship NNS Aradu, describing it as the Navy’s flagship vessel and a symbol of national pride.
The DINFO said strategic decisions concerning the ship’s future remain under consideration.
He reiterated the Navy’s commitment to indigenous shipbuilding and capacity development, saying the service was expanding local ship construction and maintenance capabilities to reduce reliance on foreign technical support.
On oil infrastructure protection, Folorunsho added that pipeline protection was primarily the responsibility of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, while the Navy provides operational support through patrols and targeted operations such as Operation Delta Sentinel.
He stressed that the Navy plays a critical role in protecting Nigeria’s economic interests, including safeguarding crude oil infrastructure and ensuring safe maritime trade.
Folorunsho urged the media to promote factual reporting of NN’s activities, stressing that enhanced public understanding of naval operations would strengthen national security and economic growth.
Acknowledging funding constraints, the information director maintained that government investment in naval capacity has grown and that further expansion would depend on national economic strength.
“The Navy is an economic force. If we succeed, the country succeeds,” he stated.
Captain Folorunsho and his delegation were received by members of the newspapers’ management, including the Editor Weekend, Mr. Festus Eriye; the Managing Editor, Editorial Services, Mr. Lawal Oghienabo; and Deputy Editor (Daily), Dr. Emmanuel Oladesu, who asked some critical questions and sought clarifications on salient issues about the Nigerian Navy.
