On 23rd June 2023, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla assumed office as the 21st Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of Nigeria. Appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Ogalla took over the mantle of leadership with a clear vision reposition the Nigerian Navy (NN) as a globally respected maritime force, professionally grounded and technologically empowered.
Two years on, the Nigerian Navy under his command has undergone remarkable transformation both in operational excellence and infrastructural development.
One of the boldest initiatives under Admiral Ogalla’s leadership came in January 2024, with the launch of Operation DELTA SANITY, aimed at confronting crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, and associated maritime crimes.
By the end of 2024, the operation had been reinforced with aerial surveillance and intelligence integration, leading to:
Arrest of 76 vessels and 242 suspects,
Deactivation of over 808 illegal refining sites, 2,411 dugout pits, and 5,421 storage facilities,
Seizure of 101 speedboats, 59 pumping machines, 38 outboard engines, 58 arms, and 276 rounds of ammunition.
The impact was immediate and measurable: oil pipeline infrastructures such as Trans-Niger, Trans-Escravos, and Trans-Forcados saw 98 to 100% uptime in throughput from the third quarter of 2024, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s improved oil output.
Thanks to continued naval patrols and deterrence efforts, Nigeria has maintained its clean slate on piracy. Since 3rd March 2022, there has been no recorded case of piracy within Nigeria’s maritime domain a status reaffirmed by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). The Navy’s credible sea presence, enabled by enhanced logistics and modern platforms, has drastically reduced sea robbery and smuggling activities across Nigeria’s territorial waters.
Today, the Nigerian Navy stands proudly as the third largest naval force in Africa, behind only Egypt and Algeria. This ranking reflects not just numerical strength but also operational readiness, strategic deployment, and human capacity development championed by Ogalla’s administration.
Admiral Ogalla has driven a bold fleet recapitalisation programme:
Acquisition of NNS SHERE, NNS FARO, and NNS IKOGOSI,
Ongoing construction of Seaward Defence Boats IV and V at the Naval Dockyard, Lagos,
Operational deployment of NNS KADA to support African Union Sealift operations,
Acquisition of three Augusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters, expanding aerial surveillance and tactical flexibility.
The Navy also operationalised the Combined Maritime Defence Force, enhancing inter-agency synergy and regional maritime cooperation.
Beyond the battlefield, Ogalla’s leadership has equally focused on rebuilding and expanding naval infrastructure. More than 30 major construction projects have been initiated or completed in two years, including:
NNS MADUEKE establishment and new Naval Special Operations Command,
Upgraded Naval Training Command Headquarters in Ebubu-Eleme, Port Harcourt,
Construction of Administrative Block at Naval Base Lake Chad in Borno,
Development of Special Boat Service Camp in Lagos,
Expansion of Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital and accommodations in Navy Town, Lagos and Asokoro, Abuja,
Launch of the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION).
Numerous accommodation units for officers and ratings, internal road networks, worship centres, and parade grounds have been completed or are ongoing in key locations such as Yenagoa, Umuopu (Enugu), Sapele, Maiduguri, and Takwa Bay.
Central to Admiral Ogalla’s leadership philosophy is a commitment to personnel welfare and ethical conduct. Improved living conditions, better logistics, timely promotions, and emphasis on professionalism are part of a deliberate strategy to foster morale and discipline within the service.
Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla’s first two years as Chief of the Naval Staff reflect a deliberate, bold, and forward-thinking strategy to shape the Nigerian Navy into a modern, agile, and combat-ready force. From the depths of the Niger Delta creeks to the blue waters of the Gulf of Guinea, the Nigerian Navy is asserting presence, protecting national assets, and upholding Nigeria’s maritime sovereignty.
As the Navy marks this milestone, it does so with pride in its past, strength in its present, and a clear vision for its future—onward together.
* Lukman Laleye Babalola is a Defence Senior Correspondent and Publisher of Emporium Reporters online and Emporium Magazine. He writes from Abuja and can be reached via [email protected].
