CNS Attends DIMDEX 2026 to Boost Nigerian Navy’s Platform Capacity, Indigenous Shipbuilding
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has participated in the ninth edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026), as part of efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Navy’s platform holding and operational capacity.
According to a press release issued on January 22, 2026 by A .A D A M S – A L I U Commodore, Director o f Information, the event held in Qatar from January 19 to 22 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and hosted by the Qatar Armed Forces.
The statement described DIMDEX as “the largest exhibition of maritime defence and security innovations in the Middle East Region,” adding that Nigeria’s participation “has opened a new vista for improving NN platform composition in line with emerging cutting-edge technology.”
During the four-day event, visiting warships from partner nations were berthed at Hamad Port and opened to dignitaries and visitors, further enriching engagements at the exhibition.
Vice Admiral Abbas was reported to have engaged several solution providers in the maritime industry on “latest trends and innovations related to acquisition of platforms and transfer of technology to improve the NN’s indigenous ship production capacity.”
The release recalled that the Nigerian Navy has already built five seagoing platforms locally, including MV Sauka Lafia (2010), NNS Andoni (2012), NNS Karaduwa (2016), MV Tug Commander Ugwu (2016), and NNS Oji (2021). It noted that “the prospects of technology transfer would further reposition the NN towards becoming a leading manufacturer of warships in the African continent.”
DIMDEX 2026 also provided the Navy the opportunity to preview “various options of precision guided munitions and Naval Gunfire Support suitable for Maritime Security Operations in Nigerian waters and the entire Gulf of Guinea.”
In addition, “pertinent discussions were held on the equipment holding for the recently established Nigerian Navy Marines soon to be infused into various ongoing joint operations nationwide.”
The participation, according to the release, aligns with the CNS vision “to develop a modern, agile and professional naval force dedicated to securing Nigeria’s maritime interests and advancing national security objectives in synergy with other security agencies.”
