Nigeria and Pakistan are set to deepen naval cooperation as part of efforts to strengthen indigenous shipbuilding and expand defence collaboration between both countries.
This was disclosed in Lagos by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, during a courtesy visit by participants of the 55th Pakistan Navy Senior Staff College Course, who are in Nigeria on a study tour.
Rear Admiral Mustapha explained that the partnership would focus on boosting the Nigerian Navy’s shipbuilding capacity through technical exchanges and shared expertise. He noted that the visiting officers would tour the Naval Dockyard Limited (NDL) in Lagos, where discussions would centre on practical ways to advance local ship construction to international standards.
According to him, the initiative builds on the long-standing cordial relationship between Nigeria and Pakistan, particularly in military and defence cooperation. He added that leveraging Pakistan’s experience in naval engineering and shipbuilding would help the Nigerian Navy achieve its goal of self-reliance in maritime assets.
The engagement, Mustapha said, reflects the Nigerian Navy’s broader strategy of collaborating with trusted partners to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen maritime security and reduce dependence on foreign-built platforms.
