Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah has reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening the operational capacity of the Nigerian Navy through enhanced support, improved readiness, and stronger Civil-Military collaboration. This was contained in a statement signed by Queenet Iheoma-Hart (CIO), for: Director, Press, and Public Relations.
Mr Pheelangwah made this known during a familiarization visit to the Naval Headquarters on 17th March, 2026, where he commended the leadership and personnel of the Nigerian Navy for their professionalism, dedication, and critical role in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He noted that the visit was aimed at deepening strategic alignment between the Ministry and the Nigerian Navy, as well as gaining firsthand insight into the Service’s operational priorities, challenges, and ongoing initiatives.
Mr Pheelangwah emphasized the need to strengthen civil-military synergy, stressing that effective collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces remains vital to achieving sustainable national security objectives. He further assured of the Ministry’s readiness to support the Nigerian Navy in critical areas, including force readiness, budgetary compliance, and improved welfare for officers and personnel.
According to him, prioritizing human capital development and welfare remains central to enhancing operational efficiency and morale. He added that it is important Nigeria’s defence industrial base is strengthened as a way of encouraging greater focus on local content and partnerships that will boost indigenous capacity and contribute to national economic development.
While reiterating the Ministry’s commitment to addressing operational and administrative challenges facing the Nigerian Navy, he called for a unified approach to national defence through enhanced cooperation among the Services. Pheelangwah expressed optimism that with sustained support and collaboration, the Nigerian Navy will continue to play a pivotal role in securing Nigeria’s maritime environment and protecting critical national asset.
In his response, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, commended the leadership of the Ministry of Defence for the current cordial working relationship with the entire Services. He highlighted areas of need to boost naval personnel’s performance such as; equipment procurements , improved procurement process, infrastructural deficits such as adequate accommodation for naval personnel, especially, as the strength of service expands by the day; increase in staff strength via the employment of Medical staff and funds for completion of all projects started by his predecessor’s. Vice Admiral Idi Abbas pleaded for the Ministry’s support to be able to achieve those targets.
Present at the event are the Directors from the Ministry and the Principal Staff Officers of the Naval headquarters.
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