On May 31, 2025, the Nigerian Navy celebrated its 69th anniversary with a ceremony at NNS Beecroft in Apapa, Lagos, where it commissioned three new patrol vessels and three AW109 Trekker helicopters. This event, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, who the Minister of State represented for Defence, Bello Matawalle, marked a key moment in the Navy’s efforts to modernise and strengthen its capabilities. Attendees included top officials like the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, and the South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Vice Admiral Kim Pankyu (retired), showing a blend of national pride and international collaboration.
The new patrol vessels, named NNS Shere, NNS Faro, and NNS Ikogosi, were brought into service after arriving in Nigeria in December 2024. NNS Shere and NNS Faro, both Sea Eagle-class vessels, came from Singapore, while NNS Ikogosi, a Chamsuri-class patrol boat, was a gift from South Korea. These ships are built to patrol Nigeria’s littoral waters, which stretch up to the 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone near the shore, and can operate further out when needed. Nigeria’s economy depends heavily on its maritime activities, such as oil production, fishing, and trade, making these vessels vital for protecting those interests. With their addition, the Navy expects to improve its presence at sea and respond more quickly to threats like piracy, oil theft, and illegal fishing in the Gulf of Guinea, a region critical to global shipping.
NNS Faro (P197), NNS Shere (P198), and NNS Ikogosi (P165) during their commissioning at NNS Beecroft in Apapa. (Nigerian Navy)
Alongside the ships, the Navy welcomed three AW109 Trekker helicopters, labelled NN501, NN502, and NN503. Purchased by the Ministry of Defence and delivered in late 2024, these helicopters are equipped to handle multiple tasks, including air reconnaissance, search and rescue, air insertion, and medical evacuation. Their ability to perform over-the-horizon patrols, monitor maritime areas, and support targeted operations adds a new layer to the Navy’s aerial reach. This flexibility strengthens the Navy’s capacity to deal with both routine duties and unexpected challenges, aligning with its goal of maintaining a well-rounded force.
In his speech during the commissioning, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla said additional vessels were expected before the end of the year, including the two 76 m offshore patrol boats that are being built by Turkish shipyard Dearsan, and three 46 m fast patrol boats that are being built in China.
The Nigerian Navy also commissioned three Leonardo AW109 Trekker light helicopters, which Channels TV reported had brought the navy’s helicopter fleet up to 14.
President Tinubu, speaking through Minister Matawalle, emphasised the government’s focus on equipping the Navy to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime domain. Matawalle called the commissioning “a declaration of resolve, a testament to progress, and a bold stride towards securing our nation’s future.” He pointed out that the Navy has been the protector of Nigeria’s waters for 69 years, playing a central role in keeping the country’s economic lifeline safe and curbing crimes at sea. The new ships and helicopters, he said, act as “force multipliers,” boosting the Navy’s ongoing work in operations like Operation Delta Sanity, which targets oil theft, and its efforts to keep piracy at zero in Nigerian waters.
The ceremony also shone a light on Nigeria’s partnership with South Korea. Ambassador Kim Pankyu spoke about the deep ties between the two nations, which have grown since 1980 across politics, economics, military training, and education. He described NNS Ikogosi as more than just a ship, calling it “a symbol of friendship and trust” that could help both countries prosper together, not only in military terms but in broader peaceful cooperation. This gift reflects a shared interest in securing the Gulf of Guinea, where maritime safety affects global trade routes.
Beyond the new ships and helicopters, the event included the opening of new accommodation facilities for Navy personnel, showing a commitment to improving the lives of those who serve alongside upgrading equipment. This move ties into a wider effort to ensure the Navy is ready for action while caring for its people.
Earlier that week, Vice Admiral Ogalla visited ongoing projects in the Lagos area, including the construction of Seaward Defence Boats IV and V at the Naval Dockyard Limited. These boats, built by Nigerian Navy shipbuilders and engineers, follow a line of locally made vessels that began with NNS Andoni in 2012, continued with NNS Karaduwa in 2016, and NNS Oji in 2021—all still active today. The fourth and fifth boats are nearing completion, demonstrating Nigeria’s push to develop its naval assets. This local production saves money and builds skills in shipbuilding, moving the country closer to self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The timing of this commissioning is notable, as the Navy works to secure the Gulf of Guinea against piracy, illegal fishing, and oil theft. With the new patrol boats and helicopters, operations like Delta Sanity gain stronger tools for surveillance and quick action, helping protect Nigeria’s resources and maintain stability in the region. The AW109 Trekkers, in particular, offer a way to watch over vast areas and step in when needed, making it harder for criminals to operate unchecked.
For 69 years, the Nigerian Navy has guarded the nation’s waters, adapting to new demands and embracing better technology. Adding these patrol vessels and helicopters opens a fresh chapter, giving the Navy what it needs to tackle today’s maritime challenges. The ceremony was more than a showcase of new equipment—it was a promise to keep Nigeria’s future secure by protecting its seas, strengthening ties with allies like South Korea, and investing in both the tools and the people of the Navy.
