Fleet renewal must be matched with logistics renewal, says naval chief

Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral I. Abbas has said the Nigerian Navy’s fleet renewal drive will only be sustainable if it is matched with a comprehensive overhaul of its logistics system.

Vice Admiral Abbas stated this on Wednesday in Kano, while declaring open the Nigerian Navy Logistics Seminar 2026.

He was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion.

The Chief of Naval Staff said that although the Navy has recorded significant gains in acquiring modern platforms and advancing indigenous shipbuilding, the real challenge lies in sustaining those assets throughout their operational life cycle.

“Fleet renewal must be matched by corresponding logistics renewal, while through-life support considerations should increasingly inform acquisition and capability planning,” he said.

“Our objective must now go beyond acquiring modern platforms to sustaining their availability and operational value throughout their service lives.”

He traced the evolution of naval logistics from its early days under the former Supply and Secretariat Branch before 1994, to its establishment as a distinct branch, and subsequently the creation of the Nigerian Navy Logistics College, Dawakin Tofa, in January 2022.

He said the progression underscored the growing complexity of logistics and the need for greater professionalism.

He charged participants to look beyond present challenges and focus on the logistics architecture required to sustain the Navy in the next decade and beyond, citing critical areas such as infrastructure, spares, POL, technical manpower, maintenance, inventory management and technology.

According to him, the success of the seminar will not be measured by deliberations alone, but by “tangible improvements in responsiveness, resource utilisation and platform availability.”