Participants of the 55th Pakistan Navy Staff Course on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, paid a study visit to the Headquarters of the Western Naval Command in Apapa, Lagos, as part of efforts to strengthen professional ties and deepen maritime cooperation with the Nigerian Navy.
The delegation was led by Commodore Mohammed Zahid Zaheer and accompanied by the Pakistan Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Kamran Mushtaq.
During the visit, the participants received a comprehensive briefing on the mandate, structure and operational responsibilities of the Western Naval Command, with particular emphasis on maritime security operations, regional collaboration and inter-agency coordination.
The briefing highlighted the Nigerian Navy’s strategic role in safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain, protecting critical offshore assets and combating transnational crimes such as piracy, illegal fishing and oil theft.
As part of the programme, the visitors undertook guided tours of key naval facilities, including the Falcon Eye Maritime Domain Awareness Centre and the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) Centre.
The delegation was also conducted round the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) KADA, where they were exposed to the operational capabilities and logistical functions of the platform.
The tours provided practical insights into Nigeria’s maritime surveillance architecture and underscored the shared commitment of both navies to enhancing security within the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.
Speaking during the visit, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, described the engagement as a valuable platform for professional exchange and mutual learning.
He noted that such interactions help to strengthen bonds between friendly navies and promote the exchange of ideas, best practices and operational experiences.
Rear Admiral Mustapha reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustaining collaboration with partner nations, stressing that collective efforts remain essential in addressing contemporary maritime security challenges.
The Pakistan Navy delegation expressed appreciation for the warm reception and the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of the Nigerian Navy’s operational environment and maritime security initiatives.
The visit further consolidates the longstanding defence relations between Nigeria and Pakistan, particularly in the areas of training, capacity building and maritime cooperation.
