For decades, the Nigerian Navy’s identity was defined by the horizon of the Atlantic and the intricate waterways of the Niger Delta. However, as the nation’s security landscape shifts into a more complex, “volatile and ambiguous” reality, the service is undergoing a profound transformation. No longer confined to the blue water, the Nigerian Navy is increasingly stepping ashore, training its personnel to confront the unconventional threats posed by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
This evolution is not merely a change in tactics; it is a fundamental shift in doctrine. By integrating land combat into its core curriculum, the Navy is ensuring that its personnel are as effective in the dusty corridors of the Northeast as they are on the decks of a frigate.
Exercise Wash Down
In November 2025, at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School in Onne, Rivers State, the culmination of this new training philosophy was on full display during Exercise Wash Down. The exercise served as a rigorous baptism for recruits, moving beyond traditional seamanship to focus on the grit of land-based combat.
Rear Admiral Victor Choji, the school’s commandant, noted that the traditional boundaries of warfare have dissolved. “We find ourselves in a situation where our training strategies must reflect these realities,” Choji explained. He emphasised that the modern Nigerian sailor must be a versatile asset, capable of deployment to non-maritime regions where the threat of insurgency is most acute.
The transition is stark. Trainees who arrived as “raw civilians” are now being forged into multi-dimensional operators. By the end of the exercise, these personnel had mastered land-combat drills that were once the exclusive domain of the Army—a move designed to ensure that when they are deployed to internal security operations, they are an asset, not a liability.
Nigerian Navy Marines and Special Operations
This shift is steered from the very top. In June 2025, during the Navy’s 69th-anniversary celebrations in Lagos, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff, unveiled a roadmap for what he calls “Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy.“ This strategy was personified by the unveiling of two specialised commands: The Nigerian Navy Marines, a force specifically tailored for amphibious and littoral operations. Special Operations Command: A high-readiness unit designed for precision strikes and supporting joint-force objectives.
The Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (SBS) is an elite special operations unit established in 2006, modelled after the UK SBS and US Navy SEALs, specialising in maritime counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and unconventional warfare. It is one of Africa’s most specialised maritime forces, tackling insecurity in the Niger Delta and deploying in regional counter-insurgency operations.
“The Navy’s remit now spans from open waters to littoral zones and even land-based operations,” Ogalla stated. This expansion acknowledges a hard truth: the security of Nigeria’s maritime wealth is inextricably linked to the stability of its hinterlands.
Last December, the Nigerian Navy got its first female Pilot Lt. Changfe Maigari.
The Northeast Front: Synergising with Operation Hadin Kai
The practical application of this training is nowhere more vital than in the Lake Chad region. Rear Admiral Olusegun Soyemi, Flag Officer Commanding the Special Operations Command, recently conducted a two-day operational assessment in Maiduguri, the heart of the fight against Boko Haram.
The goal of Soyemi’s visit was clear: inter-service synergy. In the past, “siloed” operations—where the Army and Navy worked independently—often led to gaps in intelligence and coverage. Under the umbrella of Operation Hadin Kai, led by Army Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Navy is now a critical component of a unified front.
The Navy’s presence in the Lake Chad Basin is strategic. By dominating the waterlogged terrain of the Northeast, they prevent insurgents from using the lake as a logistical highway. Major General Abubakar has been vocal about his appreciation for this support, noting that naval involvement has significantly enhanced the effectiveness of the battle space. “We must do everything possible to secure [these areas], not just for security reasons but also for their economic value,” Abubakar noted.
The Human Cost and the Collective Burden
The necessity of this “all-hands-on-deck” approach was underscored by a violent reminder on October 23, 2025. Insurgents launched coordinated early-morning attacks on military bases across Kobe and Yobe states. The ensuing battle was fierce, resulting in the death of over 50 terrorists. The recovery of 38 AK-47 rifles, machine guns, and grenades highlighted the sheer scale of the weaponry the military is up against.
In the face of such persistent threats, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, GOC of the 6 Division in Port Harcourt, has called for a shift in the national psyche. He argues that the military alone cannot secure the nation; it requires the active cooperation of the citizenry. “Security belongs to everyone,” Emekah urged. “Citizens must support the military… because it is a fight for everybody.”
A Unified Force Structure
The Nigerian Navy’s transition to land-supported operations is a pragmatic response to a changing world. By breaking down the walls between the services and training sailors for the complexities of land combat, Nigeria is building a more resilient and flexible defence architecture. As these newly trained personnel deploy from Onne to the shores of Lake Chad, they carry with them a new mandate: to protect Nigeria, wherever the threat may arise.