The Nigerian Naval Dockyard Limited completed and handed over the refitted Benin Navy Ship (BNS) Matelot Brice Kpomassé to the Republic of Benin Navy during a ceremony at Victoria Island, Lagos, on November 11, 2025. The vessel departed for Cotonou days later, marking the third completion under a bilateral agreement to overhaul six Benin warships. This project advances regional maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea through the Yaoundé Architecture framework.
The agreement, signed in March 2024, divides repairs into two phases. Phase One covers BNS Pendjari (delivered October 2024), BNS Couffo, and BNS Matelot Brice Kpomassé—all now complete. Phase Two involves BNS Ouémé and BNS Zou, with ongoing work expected to finish by early 2026. The sixth vessel remains BNS Alibori in some listings. This collaboration uses proximity for cost-effective maintenance, avoiding distant foreign yards.
BNS Matelot Brice Kpomassé (P798), a Chinese-built deep-sea patrol vessel commissioned around 2000-2013, measures roughly 26-30 meters in length as part of the Matelot Brice Kpomassé class. Designed for surveillance, anti-piracy, and coastal defence, it supports extended patrols with basic armament for boarding operations. The 20-month refit restored seaworthiness through hull cropping and replating, stanchion modifications to collapsible fittings, deck vent reconstruction, and overhauls of main engines, generators, gearboxes, anchor systems, steering gear, propulsion controls, and rudder components. These tasks, once limited to original builders, now rely on certified Nigerian welders and technicians adhering to international classification standards, demonstrating growing indigenous expertise.
Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Nigerian Chief of the Naval Staff, represented by Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu, Admiral Superintendent of Naval Dockyard Limited, tied the project to Yaoundé Architecture goals. This 2013 framework, involving the Economic Community of West African States, the Economic Community of Central African States, and the Gulf of Guinea Commission, promotes intelligence sharing, joint patrols, and coordination via centres like the Joint Maritime Command Centre in Cotonou. Enhanced vessel availability boosts shared operations against piracy and illegal fishing.
Benin’s Chief of Naval Staff, Commodore Alexandre Hounkpatin (or Dossa in some reports), represented by Captain Mohamed Idrissou, praised the work as South-South cooperation. Benin’s small navy, around 200-300 personnel, operates mixed-origin vessels, complicating spares logistics. Proximity to Lagos enables rapid interventions, resuming patrols for a fleet including U.S.-donated Safe Boats.
Gulf of Guinea threats persist despite declines. The International Maritime Bureau reported 15 incidents in the first nine months of 2025, up from 12 in 2024, with kidnappings and boardings offshore. Refitted vessels like Matelot Brice Kpomassé enable a persistent presence, deterring attacks that disrupt trade.
Success draws interest from Equatorial Guinea, Congo, and Gabon, whose advisors seek similar models. An annual maintenance agreement with Benin nears finalisation. Naval Dockyard Limited, established for self-reliance and now commercialised, handles major overhauls for naval and merchant ships, reducing foreign dependency.
This handover strengthens operational synergy, pooling resources against evolving threats. As phase two advances, the partnership positions Nigeria as a West African maintenance hub, fostering stability through practical collaboration.
