The Nigerian Navy on Friday formally concluded its 2025 operational year with a Ceremonial Sunset and Awards Night held at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, celebrating key achievements and honouring outstanding personnel.
The event, attended by senior naval officers, government officials and invited guests, marked the end of the Navy’s activities for the year and reaffirmed its commitment to maritime security and national defence.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, described the sunset ritual as a moment of reflection, gratitude and renewed resolve.
“This ceremony allows us to reflect on our achievements, strengthen comradeship, and honour officers and ratings who have distinguished themselves in service to our nation,” he said.
Abbas said the Navy intensified maritime security operations in 2025 to combat oil theft, pipeline vandalism, piracy and other maritime crimes, while also pursuing fleet recapitalisation, infrastructure development and improved personnel welfare in line with the Nigerian Navy Strategic Plan 2021–2030.
He disclosed that Operation Delta Sanity 2 recorded major successes, leading to the arrest of several vessels and suspects involved in crude oil theft, while the Navy also made significant seizures in anti-smuggling and anti-human trafficking operations across the country.
“As part of our drive for operational readiness, we concluded the year with Exercise Eru Obodo, which successfully tested our combat capabilities and prepared us for future challenges,” the CNS said.
Abbas added that the Navy commissioned new air and maritime assets, expanded indigenous shipbuilding, trained thousands of forest guards, and established a Special Operations Command to enhance rapid response to internal security threats.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the ceremony as “a powerful symbol of discipline, courage and the unbroken chain of service that defines the Nigerian Navy.”
“Even when the day ends, vigilance does not,” she said. “Long after others retire for the night, the Nigerian Navy remains on watch, protecting our waterways, businesses and maritime economy.”
Awards were presented to officers and ratings who excelled in operations, leadership and service delivery during the year, while a gala dinner concluded the ceremony.
The Ceremonial Sunset is a longstanding naval tradition marking the close of a service year and reaffirming the Navy’s readiness to tackle emerging security challenges, ahead of its planned 70th anniversary celebrations in 2026.
