The Nigerian Navy has raised concerns over inadequate funding, warning that persistent budgetary shortfalls continue to undermine its capacity to secure the nation’s vast maritime domain.
Speaking at the 3rd MARAN Annual Lecture (MAMAL 2025), organized by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Gregory Oamen, highlighted the huge cost of sustaining naval operations at sea.
Oamen, represented by Captain Olanrewaju Oginni, Commanding Officer of NNS Thunder, said insufficient funds for logistics and fuel have become the biggest obstacles to effective sea policing.
Using the Navy’s flagship warship, NNS Thunder, as an example, Oamen revealed that it costs the Navy about ₦1.2 billion annually to put the vessel to sea due to its massive fuel requirements.
The ship, with a floor capacity of 891,000 litres, is one of the Navy’s most important assets for deep-sea patrols.
“Logistics are the major issue. The Nigerian Navy has enough vessels to put to sea, but keeping them there for consistent patrols is the real challenge,” he said.
He stressed that a single ship on patrol in one location cannot adequately cover Nigeria’s extensive maritime domain, especially when incidents such as piracy or illegal bunkering occur simultaneously in different areas.
The Navy chief explained that while efforts are underway to enhance surveillance through drones and maritime domain awareness (MDA) technologies, limited funding has slowed down full deployment.
Some drones have already been acquired, but more investment is required to cover backwaters and creeks where pirates and oil thieves typically operate.
“Piracy often originates from the backwaters. Without full coverage of these areas, there is a risk of resurgence in piracy-related crimes,” he cautioned.
Despite its financial struggles, the Nigerian Navy has recorded significant milestones in maritime security.
Oamen disclosed that in 2022 alone, naval patrols at sea totaled 36,609 hours and 40 minutes, leading to the arrest of 191 suspects. In 2023, another 80 suspects were arrested for various maritime infractions.
Between 2015 and 2021, the Navy also handed over 333 vessels involved in illegal activities to relevant authorities, many of which were prosecuted under the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act.
Improved security has translated into positive economic indicators.
Weekly ship calls at Nigerian ports rose from 123 in 2021 to 145 in 2023, while the fishing sector’s contribution to GDP increased from ₦12 billion to ₦15 billion within the same period.
Despite these gains, former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Temisan Omatseye, noted that Nigeria is still classified under a war risk premium zone by the London-based Joint War Risk Committee.
This classification imposes extra costs on ships operating in Nigerian waters, affecting freight rates and trade competitiveness.
“The Navy has done well to suppress piracy, but as long as the war risk premium remains in place, Nigerian shippers and importers will continue to face high costs in global trade,” Omatseye explained.
Stakeholders at the MARAN lecture urged the federal government to prioritize adequate funding for the Navy, stressing that maritime security is central to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda, especially in the blue economy sector.
Industry observers say that with over $70 billion worth of annual maritime trade passing through Nigerian waters, safeguarding the seas is not just a security issue but also an economic imperative.
Analysts also recommend increased collaboration between the Navy, NIMASA, and private sector operators to address gaps in surveillance and reduce the reliance on external insurance policies that penalize Nigerian trade.
While Nigeria has made progress in curbing piracy and illegal maritime activities, sustaining these gains will depend heavily on consistent funding, technological investments, and policy reforms.
For the Navy, the challenge is clear: without adequate financial support, sea policing will remain reactive rather than preventive, leaving vulnerabilities that could be exploited by criminals.
