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Nigerian Navy - Organization

At inception, the NN had some coast guard duties with limited hydrographic survey capability, while the colonial Royal Navy was performing the blue water tasks. However, continuous upgrading of equipment and training of personnel has greatly improved the operational capability and readiness of the fleet.

The personnel strength of the NN witnessed a dramatic growth in the 1980s. With an expanse of the fleet, new support bases and establishment were established. With the increase in personnel strength and paucity of funds worsened by inadequate billets in overseas training institutions, most aspects of naval training were localised in order to optimise available training funds. Despite the Navy's efforts, certain specialised and type-training which are critical to the efficient performance of equipment remained a mirage.

The NN personnel strength was about 14,000 officers and ratings in 2008, which at that time was expected to rise to about 20,000 by the 2010, based on recruitment policy projection. One major area which is the cause of dissatisfaction for NN personnel leaving the Service earlier than necessary has been identified. The action taken was to upgrade the NN professional schools under the training command. The professional schools are NNS QUORRA Apapa, NN Engineering College Sapele, NN Finance and Logistics School Owerrinta, NN Basic Training School and Nigerian Naval College both at Onne. These institutions facilitate various levels of professional training for both officers and ratings from enlistment or recruitment to tactical level training for both operational and administrative skill ashore and afloat.

In order to sustain and ensure uninterrupted operations, the organization of the NN consists of the headquarters, 2 operational commands, one logistic command and one training command and 4 autonomous units. The operational commands are responsible for the security of Nigeria's maritime resources. They consist of fleets, operational bases, forward operational bases (FOB), Fleet Support Groups, (FSG) that are directly involved in the security of Nigeria's maritime resources.

Naval Headquarters

The Naval Headquarters [NHQ] is the administrative and policy making organ of the NN. It has 7 branches each administered by a branch chief who is of Flag rank (Rear Admiral).

Commands

The NN has 4 commands. These consist of 2 operational commands, the Western Naval Command (WNC) and the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) and the Logistic Command (LC). They are all headed by Flag Officers Commanding (FOCs). The 2 operational commands are responsible for the protection and policing of the nation?s maritime environment. They have fleets, operational bases and FOBs under them. Additionally, the commands have Fleet Support Groups (FSGs) for effective maintenance of their fleet in order to facilitate the execution of their responsibilities.

Autonomous Units

The autonomous units include the Naval Dockyard, Naval Shipyard and the Naval Ordinance Depot (NOD). The NN has the largest Naval Dockyard in West Africa located in Lagos and a Shipyard in Port Harcourt. The Dockyard and Shipyard carryout third line maintenance and docking of ships, while the NOD stores the NN arms and ammunitions. The NOD also provides storage for arms and ammunitions for the NN and limited storage for the Nigerian Army (NA), Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and some paramilitary units.

Forward Operating Bases (FOBs)

The NN has partially set up 5 Forward Operating Bases; BONNY, ESCRAVOS, FORMOSO, IBAKA and IGBOKODA. There are the problems of infrastructural facilities at these FOBs. The aim of the FOBs is to reduce transit time from shore bases to sea. They are also to serve as interdiction, surveillance and observation posts in such terrains as the Niger Delta. There is need to have these facilities provided to enable the FOBs function as expected.

Fully functional FOBs would enhance the time on task at sea of the fleet and provide a safe haven for both crew and the patrol vessels. It will also facilitate the turn around time of vessels assigned for patrols, reduce response time to events and thus consolidate the NN?s presence at sea. Therefore, there is need for the FOBs to be properly equipped with water hydrants, fuel dump, helicopter pad, office and residential accommodation jetties among others.