No fewer than 11,000 Nigerians have applied for the opportunity to sail aboard Nigerian Navy warships, underscoring overwhelming public interest in the initiative.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abi Folorunso, disclosed this in a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, April 24, 2026, expressing surprise at the volume of applications.
“So far, over 11,000 persons have applied to sail on a Nigerian Navy warship. I must confess that I didn’t expect this number,” he said.
Folorunso, however, noted that it would be impossible to accommodate all applicants due to limited space on the designated vessels.
“The challenge is that we cannot get over 11,000 people onboard the limited space available on the ships,” he added.
He further announced that the list of successful applicants will be released between May 1 and May 3, 2026, urging applicants to check the Navy’s official social media platforms for updates.
The initiative, introduced earlier in April, forms part of activities lined up for the Navy’s annual celebration, widely known as Navy Week.
Described as a “citizens’ sail” or open-day experience, the programme is designed to give members of the public rare onboard access to naval platforms, while promoting transparency and strengthening civil-military relations.
Following the announcement, the Navy opened an online application portal, inviting interested Nigerians to register for a chance to participate, while also outlining guidelines across its verified social media channels.
Navy Week typically features activities such as ship tours, ceremonial parades, medical outreaches, and community engagement programmes across coastal states.
According to the Navy, the warship sailing experience is a relatively new addition aimed at deepening public engagement and showcasing its operational capabilities.
The service added that applicants must meet basic identification requirements, undergo screening, and adhere strictly to safety protocols, given the sensitive nature of naval operations.
