History of Naval Doctrine Command
The Naval Doctrine Command (NAVDOC) was established on 5 January 2022 as a more robust structure for the realization of the mandate earlier assigned to the defunct Naval Doctrine and Assessment Centre (NDAC). The Command is currently in its 3rd year of existence.
It would be recalled that the Command began as Sea Training Unit (STU) in 1993 and was subsequently renamed Naval Doctrine and Assessment Centre (NDAC) on 7 February 2012 before its upgrade to a full Command. Prior to its upgrade to a Command, the defunct units operated under a unique organisational structure at Directorate level.
NAVDOC was created with the mandate to formulate doctrine values essential to achieving operational and organisational objectives, enhancing professionalism in the Nigerian Navy (NN). It operates under the guidance of the Chief of Naval Staff's (CNS) Strategic Directives and plays a critical role in human capacity development, infrastructure development and supporting fleet renewal efforts in the NN.
The establishment of NAVDOC was necessitated by the need for an enduring organisation to formulate and superintend over the implementation of principles, practices, techniques as well as procedures of naval operations, consistent with the NN Doctrine. Accordingly, Navy Board 4 of 2021 approved the establishment of a Doctrine Command with its headquarters located at NN's land in Epe, Lagos State.
Leadership
Rear Admiral Bobmanuel Kokoete Effiong
GSS fdc(+) nwc(+) psc(+) MSS MTech MNIM CIPM
Flag Officer Commanding Naval Doctrine Command
Rear Admiral Bobmanuel Kokoete Effiong was born on 10th January 1972 at Calabar in Cross River State. He hails from Obutong Municipality of Cross River State. He attended Command Children School Yaba, Lagos, and Nigerian Military School Zaria. Thereafter he proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy on 17 August 1990 as a member of 42RC. He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy as a Sub Lieutenant in 1995.
The Senior Officer has served in various capacities at different ranks during the course of his career. He had his Watch Keeping Certificate onboard NNS AMBE in 1998 while on ECOMOG operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone. He held various administrative appointments before being appointed as the Navigating Officer onboard Nigerian Navy Ships SIRI and KYANWA in 2007 and 2008 respectively. He was a Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji between 2010 and 2012. He was also the Executive Officer Forward Operations Base BONNY from 2012–2013 and Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT in 2016.
After his Strategic and Higher Management of Defence course at the National Defence College Nigeria (2016/17), he served as the Assistant Director Monitoring, Evaluation and Assessment at the Naval Headquarters in 2017. He later proceeded to the Naval War College Nigeria as a Directing Staff in 2018. Thereafter, he was appointed Directing Staff at the National Defence College Nigeria from 17 September 2020 to 22 March 2022. He then served as Command Operations Officer at Headquarters Western Naval Command from 22 March 2022 to April 2023, and later as Director of Admin at Naval Headquarters on 5 February 2025.
Rear Admiral Effiong has attended several military and civil courses. Military courses include the Sub Technical Course at NNS QUORRA (1996), Junior Staff Course at AFCSC Jaji (2002), Officers Long Course at NNS QUORRA (2003) specialising in Navigation and Direction, the Senior Staff Course at AFCSC Jaji (2007), and the National Defence College Nigeria (NDC) Course 25 (2016/17).
His civil qualifications include BSc Physics from Nigerian Defence Academy (1994), NIIT Certificate in Oracle 10g (2005), Master's in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering (MTech) from Obafemi Awolowo University Ife (2009), Master's in International Affairs and Diplomacy (MIAD) from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (2011), and Master's in Strategic Studies (MSS) from University of Ibadan (2017).
He has the following awards and decorations: General Service Star (GSS), Fellow National Defence College (fdc+), Fellow Naval War College (nwc+), and Pass Staff Course (psc+). Rear Admiral Effiong is married with 3 children and his hobbies include watching and playing games.
Command Mandate & Structure
Doctrine Development
Formulate and update naval doctrines for NN operations, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and best practices. Liaise with sister services and friendly navies to develop joint and combined doctrines.
Assessment & Compliance
Assess compliance with Health Safety and Environment (HSE) standards across Commands, Ships and Establishments. Develop methodologies for assessing NN operations and combat readiness of ships/units.
Training & Curriculum
Assess training curriculum and conduct post-course evaluations in NN professional schools. Conduct CAPEX, Higher Rates Professional Advancement Examinations, and Midshipman Board for Regular Combatant Cadets.
Fleet Renewal Support
Conduct acceptance trials and support new acquisitions. Advise NHQ on technology acquisition and local capacity building. Focus on infrastructural development for optimal NN operations.
Stakeholder Coordination
Collaborate with other maritime stakeholders to develop and implement a National Maritime Doctrine. Provide advice and coordination on technology and system development.
Publications & Research
Publish books, manuals and regulations relevant to NN operations. Maintain an archive and library to preserve records. Conduct research on doctrine concepts, policies and technology applications.
Core Functions
Operational Sea Training
Conduct of Safety Operational Sea Training (SOST), Basic Operational Sea Training (BOST) and Consolidated Operational Sea Training (COST) using NN Evaluation Checklists before drills exercises and evolutions.
Work-Up & Trials
Conduct work-up of NN fleet and acceptance trials of new acquisitions, blending Ship's company and equipment into efficient and effective fighting units.
Examinations
Successful conduct of Command Appointment Examination (CAPEX) and Midshipman Board for Regular Combatant Cadets before commissioning.
Curriculum Review
Carry out curriculum review of NN professional schools and colleges, and conduct Higher Rates Professional Advancement Examinations for junior and senior rates.
Exercise Assessment
Assessment of major exercises such as OBANGAME EXPRESS, REMEX, and CNS Sea Exercise among others.
Advisory Role
Advise NHQ on doctrine formulation, technology acquisition, and operational efficiency improvements.
Notable Activities
The Command's major activities cover training of its personnel aimed at enhancing professional capacity towards accomplishment of assigned tasks, and assessment of the conduct of Exercises such as OBANGAME EXPRESS, REMEX, and CNS Sea Exercise among others.
The Command has successfully conducted Command Appointment Examination (CAPEX) and Midshipman Board for Regular Combatant Cadets before commissioning. Furthermore, the Command has carried out curriculum review of NN professional schools and colleges as well as conduct of the Higher Rates Professional Advancement Examinations for junior and senior rates amongst others.
Key Training Programs
Strategic Objectives
Doctrine Development & Review
Formulate and update naval doctrines, liaise with sister services and friendly navies to develop joint and combined doctrines.
Operations & Compliance Assessment
Assess HSE compliance, develop methodologies for combat readiness evaluation, conduct work-up trials and sea training.
Training & Curriculum Development
Assess training curriculum, conduct post-course evaluations, and manage professional examinations across NN schools.
Publications & Knowledge Preservation
Publish books, manuals and regulations. Maintain archive and library to preserve NN's historical development.
Command Evolution
Sea Training Unit (STU) Established
Renamed NDAC (Naval Doctrine & Assessment Centre)
NAVDOC Established as Full Command