Nigerian Navy Chief Visits India

Chief of the Naval Staff, Nigerian Navy, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, visited India from July 16 July 19 along with a four-member Nigerian Navy delegation. The visits aim was to consolidate bilateral naval relations between India and Nigeria, as also to explore new avenues for naval cooperation.

During his visit, the Vice Admiral held bilateral discussions with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and other senior officials of the Indian Navy. The Nigerian Navy Chief also meet with the Chief of the Air Staff and the Chief of the Army Staff.

India is the largest trading partner of Nigeria and Nigeria is India’s the largest trading partner in Africa. Indian Navy through the medium of Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meetings cooperates with the Nigerian Navy on many fronts which include training, exchange of subject matter experts in various fields and hydrographic cooperation. In addition, port calls by Indian Naval Ships, latest one being INS Tarkash in June 2017 have further strengthened the defence cooperation with Nigeria.

After New Delhi, the Admiral visited Mumbai, Kochi and Goa where he held discussions with the Commanders-in-Chief of Western and Southern Naval Commands and Flag Officer Goa Area respectively. The Admiral visited various naval units, including Indian Naval training schools during his visit to Mumbai, Kochi and Goa. Shipbuilding issues were pursued during the Admiral’s visit to M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and M/s Goa Shipyard Limited at Mumbai and Goa respectively.