The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has concluded a high-level strategic visit to the ninth edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026). The four-day event, held from January 19 to 22, focused on integrating cutting-edge technology into the Nigerian Navy’s (NN) fleet.
The exhibition, hosted by the Qatar Armed Forces under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, is the largest of its kind in the Middle East. According to a statement by the Director of Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, the CNS utilized the forum to engage with global maritime solution providers on the latest trends in platform acquisition and technology transfer.
A central objective of the visit was to bolster the Nigerian Navy’s indigenous shipbuilding capacity. To date, the NN has successfully constructed five sea-going platforms locally: the MV Sauka Lafia (2010), NNS Andoni (2012), NNS Karaduwa (2016), MV Tug Commander Ugwu (2016), and NNS Oji (2021). The CNS indicated that new prospects for technology transfer would further position Nigeria as a leading manufacturer of warships on the African continent.
In addition to shipbuilding, the Nigerian delegation previewed advanced precision-guided munitions. These assets are intended to enhance Maritime Security Operations within Nigerian waters and provide more effective Naval Gunfire Support.
The participation aligns with Vice Admiral Abbas’s stated vision to develop a modern, professional naval force capable of securing Nigeria’s maritime interests and advancing national security objectives in collaboration with other agencies. During the event, the CNS also toured several visiting warships berthed at Hamad Port to assess innovations in maritime defense hardware.