The Nigerian Navy has hosted a delegation from the Russian Navy Training Ship, Perekop, at the Headquarters of the Western Naval Command in Apapa, Lagos, in a move aimed at strengthening professional engagement and promoting naval training cooperation.
The delegation was received on Friday, November 6, 2026, by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Abubakar Mustapha, who represented the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
Welcoming the visitors, Mustapha described the port call as an important opportunity to deepen professional interaction, exchange operational experiences and strengthen existing relations between the Nigerian Navy and the Russian Navy.
He noted that visits by foreign naval training ships such as Perekop offer valuable learning opportunities for young Nigerian naval officers through practical exposure, professional exchanges and insights into international naval training practices.
The FOC stressed that engagements with foreign naval personnel remain essential to developing professional competence, broadening operational knowledge and exposing officers to diverse approaches to maritime operations and training.
In his response, the leader of the Russian delegation, Rear Admiral Vyacheslav Borisovich Sytnik, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Navy for the warm reception accorded his team.
