Matawalle Hails Navy, Unveils Special Ops Command, 70th Anniversary Logo

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has hailed the Nigerian Navy for its high level of combat readiness amid increasingly complex security dynamics within Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the wider Gulf of Guinea.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by his media aide, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, the minister described the Navy as a “strategic instrument of national power projection,” vital to protecting Nigeria’s hydrocarbon assets, maritime trade routes, and coastal integrity.

Matawalle reiterated that maritime security remains central to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“To invest in the Navy’s capacity is to reinforce the foundational bedrock of national progress. The security of our maritime domain is non-negotiable,” he said.

He applauded the Navy’s success in curbing piracy, oil theft, sea robbery, and illegal bunkering through sustained deployments, intelligence-led patrols, and targeted interdiction operations.

The minister also commended the Nigerian Navy for its effective collaboration with domestic and international security agencies, noting that such synergy has restored a measure of stability to Nigeria’s maritime environment.

A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Nigerian Navy Special Operations Command (NNSOC) logo. The newly formed unit is designed as a rapid deployment force with advanced capabilities for land-based operations supporting internal security.

This strategic move forms part of a broader restructuring initiative aimed at enhancing the Navy’s responsiveness to evolving threats across Nigeria’s security landscape.

As part of the ceremony, Dr. Matawalle also launched the official logo marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th Anniversary. The launch kicks off a 12-month countdown to the Navy’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2026.

He encouraged Naval personnel to maintain unwavering discipline and resolve, assuring them of the Federal Government’s continued support in providing the necessary equipment, platforms, and technologies for national defence.

“The expectations of the nation are immense. Let your discipline remain unshaken. Let your resolve be unbreakable,” he charged the officers and civilian staff in attendance.

The minister also praised the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, for his reform-minded leadership and efforts to enhance fleet readiness, personnel welfare, and inter-agency cooperation.

He reaffirmed President Tinubu’s unwavering support for the Navy’s expanding capabilities and strategic vision.