This article will provide information on the requirements on how to join the Nigerian Navy and also provide answers to questions regarding the Nigeria Navy.
The Nigerian Navy owes its origin to the Nigerian Marine. Formed in 1914 after the amalgamation of the then Northern and Southern Nigeria, the Nigerian Marine, as it became known after 1914, was a quasi-military organization. This force expanded to become the Southern Nigerian Marine in 1893. A Northern Nigeria equivalent was formed in 1900. The two Marines were merged in 1914. Responsibilities included administration of the ports and harbours, dredging of channels, buoyage and lighting. It also operated ferry services, touring launches, and other small craft that plied the various creeks and other inland waterways. The first of these new organizations was the Nigerian Ports Authority, which was charged with the running of ports and ensuring safe navigation. The second organisation was the Inland Waterways Department, which took over the running of ferries and touring launches. The third organisation was the Nigerian Naval Force, made up mostly of reserve Royal Navy officers and ex-Service personnel who had been transferred to the Nigerian Ports Authority from the defunct Nigerian Marine. Its primary responsibility was to train the personnel and set up the appropriate infrastructure necessary for the planned Navy. The first basic training establishment for the future Navy the HMNS Quorra was started on 1 November 1957 with 60 junior ratings, who underwent a 6-month basic seamanship course. In July 1959, the Nigerian Naval Force was transformed into a full-fledged Navy when Queen Elizabeth II granted permission for it to use the title 'Royal Nigerian Navy'. The title was changed to the ‘Nigerian Navy’ in 1963 after Nigeria became a republic. The constitutional task of the Navy was expanded in 1964 after the repeal of the 1958 Ordinance. The new law, known as the Navy Act of 1964, for the first time tasked the Navy with the 'naval defence of Nigeria'. Other tasks assigned to the Navy by the 1964 Act were essentially coast guard duties, namely: assisting in the enforcement of customs laws, making hydrographic surveys, and training officers and men in naval duties. These tasks were essentially routine functions of any navy. Consequently, the naval leadership began to mount pressure on the political leadership to re-define the constitutional role of the navy. In 1993, this pressure yielded the desired result and under a new law, Armed Forces Decree 105 (now known as the Armed Forces Act), was incorporated as part of the 1999 Constitution. The Nigerian Navy was given expanded military and constabulary roles, especially in the oil and gas sectors of the Nigerian maritime economy.
- Applicants should possess any of the following educational qualifications . West African certificate/Senior secondary school certificate/General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level/Waec City and guilds or London City and guilds/Ordinary National Diploma Or any other Educational qualifications equivalent to the ones Mentioned Above
- Any Applicant possessing higher educational qualifications like HND,BSC other than the ones stated above should not Apply
- Any Certificate Not declared or tendered and Accepted during the recruitment exercise is not acceptable after the exercise and cannot be tendered for the sake of change of branch or advancement while in the Naval service. Only qualifications obtained through normal service provisions are tenable after joining
- Applicants must be between the Age of 18 to 22 years at the time of Application, While 24 years is acceptable for those with higher qualifications
- Applicants must not be married or have Children before joining
- Applicants is required to print out Parents/Guidian consent form and Local Government Attestation form
- Applicants must be of Nigerian Origin by Birth
- Short sightedness
- Bow or K Leg
- Ear problem
- Previous orthopedic surgeon
- Flat foot
- Applicants must be free from any previous conviction by court of Law or Criminal Charges
- Stammering
- Fracture or any other Natural Disability
Interested candidates should visit www.joinnigeriannavy.com and follow the instructions on the portal.
Those who want to join the Nigerian Navy as a graduate needs to have completed their higher institution and possess HND or BSC. The training period takes a period of 9 months before they are commissioned into the Nigerian Navy as Naval Officers
- You must be a Nigerian as defined in the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria. and also be between the Age of 22 and 28 Years at the time of registration
- Be medically, Mentally and physically fit
- Measure not less than 1.68m(Male),1.65m(female)
- Must not have been convicted by any Court of Law
- Possesses a minimum of first of not less than second class lower division from a recognized university or HND from a recognized polytechnic and not less than lower credit
- Applicants Less Serving members of the Armed Forces must have completed their NYSC Scheme or provide a letter of exemption
- Possesses valid birth certificate endorsed by A hospital Court or National population commission
- Possesses a certificate of State of Origin
- You must be recommended by at least two recognized referees who must attest to the applicants character and Integrity
- A minimum of five credit passes at SSCE, That is WAEC, NECO or GCE or Any Equivalent Obtained from in not more than two sittings relevant to the faculty of their choices. Two of those five Credit must be English and Mathematics, Then at least one supporting relevant credits in addition to the credits in faculty of Military Science and interdisciplinary studies, faculty of arts and social science and faculty of Science. However, only one supporting relevant credit is needed in Faculty of Engineering
- Applicants should be at least 17years of Age and not above 21 years old as at the time of registration
- Candidates who desire to join the Nigerian Air Force must be between the Age of 17 and 18 at the Year of entry
- Interested candidates must not be less than 1.68meters tall in Male and 1.58 meters in Female
- Interested candidates must be physically and Medically fit and must be of a Good moral character
- All candidates must be single male and female without legal obligation to support child or any other individuals
- All applicants must provide their certificate of State of Origin obtained from the local government area of the applicant or a certificate of a State indigeneship obtained from the office of the State Governor
- Interested candidates awaiting results are not acceptable
- Applications submitted without results will not be accepted
- Only Results that are not more than 5 years old are to be accepted
History. The Nigerian Navy owes its origin to the Nigerian Marine. Formed in 1914 after the amalgamation of the then Northern and Southern Nigeria, the Nigerian Marine, as it became known after 1914, was a quasi-military organization. This force expanded to become the Southern Nigerian Marine in 1893.
For the colonial administration, the naval force would take over certain marine duties which were vital to the colonial government but which were not appropriate for the newly formed Nigerian Ports Authority. The Nigerian Naval Service commenced operation on 1 June 1956.
Shivaji was a great warrior and strategist of India. In 1674, he laid the foundation of the Maratha Empire in Western India. He is also known as the Father of Indian Navy. Shivaji demonstrated great skill in creating his military organisation .
In 1963, when Nigeria became a republic, the prefix “Royal” was dropped and the name became the Nigerian Navy. The modern day NN came into being legally through the Act of Parliament No 21 of 1964.
Nigeria is missing out in efforts by countries across the world to build and launch submarines to defend themselves against foreign aggression. But Nigeria, which ranks 83, has no submarine yet, while South Africa came first in Africa with three.
The current Chief of Naval Staff is Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo who was appointed on January 26, 2021 by President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed Ibok Ekwe Ibas.
It is responsible for Basic Operations Sea Training, Safety Operations Sea Training, and Consolidated Operations Sea Training of all Nigerian Navy ships when assigned. It also conducts harbour and ship acceptance trials of vessels after major refits.