As part of its strategic engagement with member states, a high-level delegation from the Military Security Committee (MSC) of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) visited Nigeria’s Western Naval Command and toured the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) KADA on Monday, May 26, 2025.
The delegation, which included Defence Attachés and staff of the AU-PSC Secretariat, was received by senior naval officers before proceeding to NNS KADA, a sea lift vessel recently designated to support AU peace support missions across the continent.
The visit commenced with a comprehensive operational briefing by Captain A. Zidon, Commanding Officer of NNS KADA. He highlighted the ship’s multifaceted capabilities, with a focus on its logistical support roles, amphibious functions, and utility in humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
Following the briefing, the AU team was taken on a guided tour of the ship’s key compartments, including the galley, mess decks, medical bay, machinery rooms, accommodation areas, bridge, and the Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) deck—a central feature that enables the efficient movement of vehicles and heavy equipment. The ship’s stern and inner ramps were also activated during the tour to demonstrate its vehicle deployment capability.
At the conclusion of the tour, Brigadier General Abubakar Conteh of Sierra Leone, who chairs the MSC of the AU-PSC, commended the Nigerian Navy for maintaining a vessel of such strategic value.
“We are impressed by the operational readiness and the multifaceted capacity of NNS KADA. The vessel is clearly well-suited for the diverse roles envisioned in future AU peace support operations,” Brigadier General Conteh said.
The visit reinforces the African Union’s commitment to enhancing the interoperability and readiness of regional forces in addressing security challenges across the continent. It also underscores Nigeria’s pivotal role in continental peace and security architecture, particularly through the deployment of naval assets in support of AU mandates.
NNS KADA, commissioned in 2022, is one of the Nigerian Navy’s largest and most versatile platforms, designed for strategic sea lift, troop transport, and logistics support. It continues to play an essential role in regional security, disaster response, and maritime diplomacy.
 of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) visited Nigeria’s Western Naval Command and toured the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) KADA on Monday, May 26, 2025.){kind=link}