SPEECH BY THE CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF VICE ADMIRAL AZ GAMBO AM GSS psc ensp (RSA) MTM MNIM MUSNI FCIS FIIPS FCAI DURING THE UNVEILING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST EDITION OF THE NIGERIAN NAVY DOCTRINE AT THE 2021 CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF ANNUAL CONFERENCE
PROTOCOL
1. It is my delight to perform yet another landmark function at this Conference, which is the unveiling of the First Edition of the Nigerian Navy Doctrine. Permit me to stress the point that the Nigerian Navy, since inception, operated with a doctrine that is largely unwritten and yet to be codified in a single document. However, a combination of factors made the need for a well-articulated and unified doctrine pressing. These factors include the changes in the international security environment, the migratory and transitory nature of maritime threats, diverse interests of a wide range of actors in the nation’s maritime space and the compelling need for collaborative synergy by navies in tackling maritime illegalities.
2. For our partners, the maritime stakeholders, this Doctrine is somewhat a follow up to the Harmonized Standard Operating Procedures on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution of Vessels and Persons in Nigeria’s Maritime Environment, which was aimed at streamlining our collective efforts to rid our maritime environment of illegalities. Thus, the Nigerian Navy Doctrine seeks to bring the key concepts and themes of maritime power together with the hindsight of enduring traditions and practices in a clear and straightforward manner. The objective is to provide the basis for commonality and standardisation so that different types of forces can work together by building a common understanding and approach to assigned tasks.
3. This First Edition of the Nigerian Navy Doctrine that is being unveiled today is divided into 9 chapters; Chapter 1 gives the Introduction and Background, Chapter 2 covers General Concepts of Armed Conflict, Chapter 3 highlights Nigeria’s Maritime Environment and Interests, Chapter 4 covers Legal Context and Chapter 5 deals with Concept and Application of Maritime Power. Furthermore, Chapter 6 dwells on Nigerian Navy Responsibilities Across the Spectrum of Conflict, Chapter 7 deals with Employment of Nigerian Navy’s Maritime Power, Chapter 8 is on Planning and Conducting a Campaign or Operation, while Chapter 9 covers Future Trends. Pertinently, the themes of each chapter were carefully chosen and arranged to address issues involving relationships among departments, units and commands within the Nigerian Navy as well as relationship with other maritime stakeholders and friendly navies. Having undergone rigorous academic and professional reviews, it is my humble belief that this document will facilitate seamless interoperability with sister Services, maritime security agencies and friendly navies operating across the 5 Spectrums of our Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy.
4. At this juncture, I wish to acknowledge the efforts of all the officers, both serving and retired who, despite their busy schedules, saw through the production of this document. It is also important to stress the fact that the Nigerian Navy welcomes further contributions from our partners as observed shortcomings would surely be considered during future review of the document. It is therefore my singular honour and privilege to unveil this First Edition of the Nigerian Navy Doctrine. God bless and Onward Together.
AZ GAMBO
Vice Admiral
September 2021 Chief of the Naval Staff