Navy To Advance Technology To Match Evolving Maritime Threats

The Nigerian Navy will improve and update its technological capacity in order to match and counter the rapidly evolving and sophisticated maritime threats.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, said this on Thursday in Abuja, at the 2026 Nigerian Navy Research and Development Seminar.

The seminar is themed “Deepening the Application of Emerging Techniques for Operational Effectiveness”.

Abbas said that the character of maritime security was rapidly changing with an increase in the sophistication of maritime threats.

According to him, advanced criminal networks have continued to exploit technology to evade detection and threaten critical national assets.

“The service is therefore moving to examine how emerging technologies can address operational challenges, optimise available resources and strengthen the navy’s contribution to national security.”

The CNS emphasised that the success of the innovation and technological advancements that the service aimed to acquire would only be deemed successful if utilised effectively and efficiently.

“Effective response must therefore be driven by corresponding improvement in timely intelligence, accurate surveillance and the ability to deploy appropriate forces where they are most needed.”

“The objective is not simply to acquire more technology, but to achieve greater operational effectiveness with the resources available at our disposal.”

“Our experience has demonstrated the value of technology and naval maritime surveillance in improving maritime domain awareness and directing patrols towards identified threats,” he said.

Abbas emphasised that an intelligence-led approach would enable the navy to deploy its limited assets more efficiently, reduce expenditure on fuel and maintenance, as well as improve operational response.

“Surveillance of offshore installations and other critical national infrastructure has also strengthened our efforts against crude oil theft and associated economic crimes, contributing to a more secure environment for oil production.”

“Emerging technologies therefore offer further opportunities to extend these capabilities to the creeks and adjoining coastal areas for pipeline monitoring and protection.”

“This will thereby strengthen the security of vital national assets and contribute to the support of sustained oil production,” he added.

The CNS also spoke on the Nigerian Navy’s progress in indigenous shipbuilding and maintenance through dockyards and shipyards.

He noted that the development demonstrated a growing capacity to develop and sustain operational capabilities locally.

He also said that beyond the maritime domain, emerging technologies were equally relevant to the navy’s contributions to counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

According to him, the expanding employment of marines and other naval special forces in joint operations underscores the need for improved intelligence gathering, unmanned surveillance, secure communications and battlefield awareness.

He appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his continued support towards strengthening the navy’s operational capabilities.