The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede has commended the Nigerian Navy for it’s successes, and lauded the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas for his achievements in just one year in office.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Abbas was appointed the CNS by President Bola Tinubu on Oct. 24, 2025.
The CDS gave the commendation while delivering his remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2026 CNS Annual Retreat on Tuesday in Abuja.
The retreat has as it’s theme “Appraisal of Nigerian Navy Commands for Enhanced Operational Effectiveness”.
Oluyede commended the navy for its relentless and strategic efforts in combatting the various threats and criminalities in Nigerian waters.
He also commended the navy’s ability to enhance sea presence and intelligence-driven operations, consequently reducing pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft significantly.
According to him, the importance of the navy to the nation’s security and national development cannot be expressed by words alone.
“As a nation blessed with a vast coastline and a rich maritime domain, Nigeria’s economic advent relies heavily on the sea.
“The navy thus stands as the primary guardian of our maritime heritage and nascent blue economy.”
The CDS particularly commended the navy’s intense enforcement in the Niger Delta, which he said had translated into oil production stability and financial recovery for Nigeria.
“Crude oil production has risen from an average of 1.4 million barrels per day in October 2025 to 1.84 million barrels per day as of September 2026, marking Nigeria’s highest sustained output since April 2020.
“That surge in Nigeria’s crude oil production has raised the nation’s earnings from 8.1 billion dollars in the first quarter of 2026 to about 9 billion dollars in the second and third quarters of 2026.
“For this vital contribution to the nation’s economy, I strongly commend the CNS and the entire Nigerian navy family,” he said.
Oluyede also lauded the navy for its pivotal contributions to joint operations across all sectors of operations, as well as its collaborations with the Army and the Air Force in tackling terrorism and other forms of criminality in Nigeria
“Through solid deployments and collaborative joint operations, naval forces have contributed in securing critical waterways, restructuring criminal and logistic routes, and neutralising insurgent elements.
“Specifically, the Special Boat Service demonstrated its tactical prowess in the joint rescue of the kidnapped residents and teachers in Oyo State in July.
“Furthermore, naval deployment to the Igbokoda swamp in support of the compound rescue mission at the crash site of the ill-fated Nigerian Air Force aircraft also reflects the navy’s profound readiness to protect Nigerian lives across all terrains.
“The navy’s unwavering dedication, therefore, remains vital to maintaining national security and sustaining regional and maritime security,” he added.
The CDS further said that the navy had continued to contribute meaningfully to the drive to address security concerns through a whole-of-government approach as espoused in his military strategy philosophy.
Oluyede said that there was however more room for improvement, and urged the service to utilise the retreat as a critical platform for strategic introspection and appraisal of the efforts of the Nigerian navy.
“It offers a vital forum to re-examine the strategies, doctrines and operational structures. The theme for this retreat is therefore considered relevant to our national security,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his continued commitment and support to the Armed Forces.
He charged the CNS to return with feedback on strategies that would particularly reinforce the synergy in joint operations and are key in effectively combating security threats.(NAN)
