The Nigerian Navy has over time improved its capacity to build and repair ships through the Naval Dockyard Limited, extending its shipbuilding and ship repair services to other West African countries, a development expected to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Ensuring the availability of ships and sea vessels for monitoring and combating maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea cannot be overemphasised, as the region is strategically vital for oil, gas and maritime trade.
The dockyard has built a total of three Seaward Defence Boats (SDBs) for the Nigerian Navy, all of which have been inaugurated and are currently in use.
It has also constructed several other vessels, including barges and smaller patrol boats.
In recent years, especially in 2025, dockyard extended its services to the Republic of Benin, undertaking the repair and refurbishment of six Beninese Naval Ships (BNS).
The first phase of work on three of the ships — BNS Pendjari, BNS Couffo and BNS Matelot Brice Kpomassé (MBK) — has been completed, and the vessels have been handed over to the Beninese authorities.
The dockyard has also began the second phase of work on the remaining three ships: BNS Ouémé, BNS Zou, and another vessel, a move expected to significantly boost regional maritime security.
The Admiral Superintendent of Naval Dockyard Limited, Rear Adm. Ibrahim Shehu, said the dockyard was responsible for the highest level of ship maintenance and had, over the years, expanded its capacity to serve the wider maritime community within and beyond Nigeria’s shores.
Shehu said the development had stimulated indigenous shipbuilding, maintenance, and local content participation, in line with the vision, mission and strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas.
“It is noteworthy that the docking and refit of the Republic of Benin Navy ships in the yard is a significant milestone in bolstering regional capacity for maritime security and military cooperation between both navies,” he said.
The admiral said the dockyard carried out a complete refit of the recently refurbished BNS MBK, restoring the vessel to full operational status and seaworthiness, thereby enabling it to effectively carry out its duties within the Republic of Benin’s maritime domain.
According to him, major works carried out on the ship included cropping and replating sections of the hull, modification of stanchions to collapsible fittings, and reconstruction of degraded deck vents and other fittings.
“Other repair works included major overhauls of the main engines, generators and gearboxes, as well as replacement of the anchor and windlass.
“Additionally, the dockyard overhauled the steering gear and propulsion control systems and undertook the reconditioning of the rudder, among several other system components,” Shehu said.
He thanked Vice Adm. Abbas for his supportive leadership towards the successful completion of the refit of BNS MBK.
Shehu expressed confidence that the relationship between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin would be further strengthened, enhancing collaboration between both navies in maritime security and ocean governance within the Gulf of Guinea.
The Chief of Naval Staff of the Republic of Benin, Commodore Alexandre Dossa Hounkpatin, said the technical partnership between the two navies had proved very fruitful, leading to the successful refurbishment of three ships, with work ongoing on three others.
Hounkpatin said the existence of the dockyard was a source of hope and satisfaction for both military and commercial maritime stakeholders in the sub-region and across the continent.
“The undeniable prowess and technical capabilities demonstrated by the Nigerian Naval Dockyard Limited make it a giant African company, now standing as a reliable, close and trusted partner,” he said.
He attributed the achievements recorded so far to the political will of both countries and their navies to collaborate by pooling technical and operational capabilities to address common security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea.
“I sincerely hope that this willingness to work together will be strengthened and intensified in the interest of the states of our sub-region and their maritime economies,” Hounkpatin said.
He thanked Vice Adm. Abbas and the management and staff of Naval Dockyard Limited for their efforts in making BNS Couffo, Pendjari and MBK fully operational, noting that the vessels were already contributing to regional maritime security.
“Our ships now exude the modernity and solidity required to navigate the waters of the Gulf of Guinea and beyond, to carry out various missions of national and sub-regional interest,” Hounkpatin said. (NAN)
