CABOTAGE: Nigerian Navy Declares Readiness To Partner Indigenous Operators In Shipbuilding

The Nigerian Navy has declared its readiness to partner with relevant organisations to strengthen indigenous shipbuilding capacity and enhance naval operations.

This was contained in a statement on 7 April 2026 at Naval Headquarters in Abuja.

The statement  underscored the Navy’s focus on home‑grown capability as a pillar of national security and economic development.

In the press statement, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, was quoted saying ,the Navy is open to collaborations with government agencies, private‑sector firms, and international partners to deepen local content development and technology transfer.

He described such partnerships as essential for building a sustainable and self‑reliant naval industrial base in Nigeria.

The announcement followed a courtesy visit to Naval Headquarters by Amadou Ndongo Thiam, which the CNS described as timely and strategic for advancing maritime security and industrial capacity.

During the visit, the delegation also toured Naval Dockyard Limited, where the construction of Seaward Defence Boats is ongoing, showcasing progress in Nigeria’s indigenous shipbuilding programme.

The Navy reiterated its long‑term goal of achieving a significant local share—around 60 percent—of naval platform construction by 2030.

The CNS noted that the service has already built several seagoing platforms locally, including NNS Andoni, NNS Karaduwa, and NNS Oji, as part of its fleet‑modernisation drive.