Just In: Nigerian Navy Graduates 328 Personnel As Pioneer Set Of Marines, Strengthens Special Operations Capability

The Nigerian Navy has graduated the pioneer set of its newly established Marine Corps, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and the ongoing transformation of the Armed Forces.

The graduation ceremony, held on Friday, 27 February 2026, brought together senior military officials, defence stakeholders and international partners, as 328 personnel successfully completed the rigorous Nigerian Navy Basic Marines Qualifying Course One (BMQC 1) and were formally inducted into the First Nigerian Navy Marine Regiment.

Speaking at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, described the occasion as a decisive moment in the evolution of Nigeria’s maritime security framework. He noted that Nigeria occupies a strategic position in the Gulf of Guinea and bears a responsibility to ensure stability across the maritime domain of the West African sub-region.

He stressed that the Gulf of Guinea remains a hub of global maritime commerce while also serving as a vital link to Nigeria’s coastal communities and oil and gas resources. According to him, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have played a critical role in protecting these assets, safeguarding sovereignty and supporting socio-economic activities.

The CDS commended the Nigerian Navy for its longstanding vigilance across the nation’s internal waters, territorial seas, contiguous zones and Exclusive Economic Zone, noting that the establishment of the Marines represents a timely response to evolving and asymmetric threats. He said the initiative aligns with his strategic philosophy of consolidating capabilities to strengthen operational posture.

General Oluyede also praised the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for building on the foundation laid by his predecessor, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla (rtd), urging the new Marines to remain disciplined, innovative and adaptable in confronting unconventional threats. He further called for sustained collaboration among the Services, security agencies, maritime stakeholders and local communities to enhance national security

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Abbas, said the establishment of the Nigerian Navy Marines followed the creation of the Special Operations Command eight months ago to strengthen the Navy’s capacity for precision operations, counterterrorism and strategic interdictions across land, maritime and riverine environments.

He explained that the Marines were designed as a highly mobile and versatile force to secure riverine corridors, dominate littoral spaces and support inland missions linked to maritime threats. According to him, the initiative reflects the Navy’s strategic vision of building an adaptive, modern and capability-driven force structure.

Vice Admiral Abbas noted that synergy between the Marines and the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service would provide amphibious depth and precision delivery across the full spectrum of naval operations. He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to sustained training, acquisition of modern equipment and international partnerships to ensure the Marines remain combat-ready and effective.

He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, members of the National Assembly and other stakeholders for their continued support. He also commended the instructors and personnel of the Nigerian Navy Marines Training Centre for laying a solid foundation for the new force.

Highlighting the course, the Commandant of the Nigerian Navy Marine Training Centre, Commodore Olayinka Ayodele Aliu, said the Marines were formally established on 1 June 2025 as part of the Nigerian Navy Transformation Agenda to enhance expeditionary, amphibious and littoral warfare capabilities.

He disclosed that the six-month Basic Marines Qualifying Course commenced on 14 August 2025 and was structured to produce physically resilient, mentally agile and tactically proficient personnel capable of operating in joint and multi-domain environments.

According to him, the training followed a knowledge exchange programme involving Nigerian instructors, a defence training group and United States Special Operations Forces Liaison personnel, aimed at harmonising doctrine and refining tactics suited to Nigerian realities.

The course was conducted in three progressive phases beginning with intensive physical conditioning and psychological resilience training, followed by land warfare training at the 81 Division Training Area in Owode, and concluding with amphibious and riverine operations.

He said trainees attained full swimming proficiency and conducted tactical insertion and extraction drills before participating in a final joint operational exercise involving the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service, combat enablers and conventional forces.

Commodore Aliu noted that the training tested tactical competence, operational integration and decision-making under stress, with strict discipline and Marine core values forming the foundation of the programme.

At the ceremony, he formally inducted Lt C. S. Orji and 327 others into the First Nigerian Navy Marine Regiment, codenamed the “Bushmen,” charging them to uphold courage, loyalty, professionalism and integrity in the defence of the nation.

The graduation is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s capacity to counter maritime crime, terrorism, piracy, oil theft and other emerging threats in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.