International standard practices, our motto says Naval Dockyard Admiral

International standard practices, our motto says Naval Dockyard Admiral 

Lagos, Nov.13, 2025

The Admiral Superintendent Naval Dockyard Ltd. Rear Adm. Ibrahim Shehu has said that all activities carried out in the dockyard strictly adhered to international standard practices.

Shehu said this on Thursday at the dockyard as the refurbished Benin Navy Ship MATELOT BRICE KPOMASSE (BNS MBK) set sail back to its country after 20 months in the yard.

The admiral said that from the construction and maintenance of ships, to the engineers, all followed international standard practices to ensure high quality maritime vessels are available for patrol.

"The Naval Dockyard operates in line with international best practices. We have international classification standards that guide whatever work we do, whether it relates to machinery or structural work.

"The welders, mechanics and technicians that work on various aspects of the ship are all qualified and certified before they undertake jobs on these vessels.

"Also, they are periodically checked to ensure they meet, at least, minimal requirements for international standards," Shehu said.

He said that one of the components of maritime security, especially in the Gulf of Guinea, was to have the assets and be able to deploy them for maritime security operations.

Shehu stated that the dockyard was in partnership with the Republic of Benin to refurbish six of its ship, to which, three had been delivered to further enhance maritime security. 

"So, by providing the capacity we have in the dockyard towards building and refurbishing ships, we are able to create an environment which ensures more vessels are available.

"This will enable both countries to jointly patrol the maritime environment towards economic development and the protection of our joint maritime resources," he said.

The admiral said that other countries within the subregion such as Equatorial Guinea, Gabon among others had began to show interest to engage the services of the dockyard.

"As they come up with their required scope of assistance, we will be able to collaboratively arrive at a good solution we can offer to them through continued engagement," he said.

Shehu expressed confidence in the relationship between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin saying that the collaboration would strengthen the capacity of both navies to improve ocean governance within the Gulf of Guinea.

He thanked the Beninese Chief of Naval Staff, Commodore Dossa Hounkpatin for his patronage of the Yard and looked forward to many more in future.

In the same vein, Capt. Mohamed Idrissou appreciated the dockyard for the wonderful work it had done with the refurbished BNS PENDJARI, BNS COUFFO and recently BNS MBK.

Idrissou said that the existence of the dockyard was a source of hope and satisfaction for the military navies and commercial maritime forces of the countries of the subregion and continent.

"Your efforts in providing the necessary service towards ship maintenance and repair is significant to the improvement of maritime security and the development of the economies of countries within the subregion," Idrissou said.