The Nigerian Navy has announced a series of activities to mark its 70th anniversary celebration scheduled to run from Thursday, May 21 to Thursday, June 4, 2026, across Lagos and naval formations nationwide.

The announcement was made at an international press conference held at Naval Headquarters, Abuja, by Rear Admiral Akinola Olatunde Olodude, Chief of Policy and Plans, on behalf of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, where he formally flagged off the anniversary programme.

Rear Admiral Olodude said the 70th anniversary marks a historic milestone in the Navy’s evolution from a modest coastal defence force established in 1956 into a modern blue-water navy playing a strategic role in national security, regional stability, and international maritime operations.

He explained that over seven decades, the Nigerian Navy has grown through key historical phases, including participation in the Nigerian Civil War, United Nations peacekeeping operations, ECOWAS interventions in West Africa, and various regional stability missions across the continent.

According to him, the Navy has also made significant progress in maritime security operations, including anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Guinea, crude oil theft suppression in the Niger Delta, hydrographic surveys, shipbuilding, and fleet modernization efforts that have strengthened Nigeria’s maritime domain awareness and economic security.

He further noted that the Navy’s sustained operations have contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s list of piracy-prone countries, while also boosting crude oil production through improved maritime security and collaboration with other security agencies.

Rear Admiral Olodude also disclosed that the anniversary celebrations will feature a wide range of activities, including international press briefings, religious services, sports competitions, sea trips, fleet reviews, project commissioning, foreign naval vessel visits, and the hosting of the 6th Seapower for Africa Symposium.

He added that the grand finale will include a ceremonial sunset, dinner, and awards night in Lagos, alongside key events such as international maritime exercises, vessel commissioning, and the presentation of new naval platforms aimed at strengthening the Navy’s operational capacity.

Looking ahead, the Navy reaffirmed its commitment to innovation, digital transformation, and enhanced maritime security architecture, stressing that it will continue to collaborate with regional and global partners while remaining steadfast in its constitutional mandate of protecting Nigeria’s maritime interests.