The newly appointed Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abass, has pledged a bold, strategic, and collaborative approach to tackle Nigeria’s maritime security challenges and curb illegal activities threatening the nation’s waters.
Delivering his inaugural speech at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja, Vice Admiral Abass outlined a vision to strengthen maritime security, enhance the Nigerian Navy’s operational capacity, and deepen cooperation with local and international partners.
“To confront these challenges decisively, my tenure will focus on strengthening maritime security and combating illegalities, enhancing fleet capability through aggressive renewal, adopting technology, prioritising training and personnel welfare, and fostering inter-agency, regional, and international collaboration,” he declared.
The 23rd Indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff emphasised that his leadership would target crude oil theft, sea robbery, illegal bunkering, unregulated fishing, and drug trafficking — crimes that continue to threaten Nigeria’s maritime economy and coastal livelihoods.
Vice Admiral Abass stressed that achieving maritime security requires joint operations with sister services and close cooperation with other security agencies. “Serious attention will be given to jointness with sister services and collaboration with relevant security agencies in tackling pervasive security threats,” he affirmed.
He also pledged to modernise the Navy’s fleet through aggressive renewal and technology adoption while ensuring personnel training and welfare remain top priorities.
The CNS expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his appointment and paid tribute to his predecessor, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, for laying a solid foundation. He called on all officers, ratings, and civilian staff to rededicate themselves to the Navy’s core values of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.
“The Nigerian Navy under my watch will be a professional and accountable institution. We will work tirelessly to ensure our waters are safe for legitimate commerce and the exploration of our blue economy,” he said.
