Nigerian Navy to establish research institute to boost self-reliance

The Nigerian Navy plans to establish a dedicated research institute and specialized research and development units across its commands. This initiative aims to reduce the military's dependence on imported technology and mitigate risks associated with rising equipment costs and supply-chain delays.

Speaking at the 2026 Nigerian Navy Research and Development Seminar in Abuja, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas emphasized that the service must adopt emerging technologies to counter increasingly sophisticated maritime threats. The Navy intends to focus on artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced sensors, and unmanned surveillance to improve maritime domain awareness.

By adopting an intelligence-led approach, the Navy seeks to optimize limited resources, reduce fuel and maintenance expenditures, and improve operational responses. These technological advancements are expected to strengthen the protection of offshore installations and critical infrastructure against crude oil theft, while also supporting counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.