The Nigerian Navy has unveiled a rare opportunity for members of the public to experience life at sea, launching an online raffle that will see selected civilians sail aboard its warships as part of activities marking its 70th anniversary.
The initiative, announced on Wednesday by the Navy’s Director of Information, Abi Folorunsho, will begin with a two-week registration window during which interested participants can sign up online before a random selection process to determine the lucky winners.
In a message shared on X, Folorunsho struck an enthusiastic tone, telling prospective applicants, “I promised to post the link for a chance to sail on a Nigerian Navy warship. The day is here,” as he formally informed the public of the process.
He explained that entries would be collated after registration, with unique codes generated for each applicant and used in a transparent draw.
“Once all entries are collated, I will randomly select people to pick a code or codes,” he said, outlining the mechanism designed to ensure fairness.
However, he stressed that participation would be strictly guided by safety considerations, noting that the number of successful applicants would be limited.
“The total number of winners will depend on how many people can safely join the ship without compromising safety,” he said, adding that each slot would be tied to a specific code and could not be transferred.
Addressing concerns raised by members of the public, Folorunsho pointed applicants to the privacy policy attached to the registration portal, assuring them that it adequately covers data protection issues.
He also made it clear that the opportunity is open to all eligible participants, while reminding applicants that they would be responsible for their own travel arrangements to the departure point in Lagos.
The registration form, titled “Nigerian Navy @70 Anniversary”, requires basic personal information including name, contact details, country of residence and age group, with participation limited to individuals aged 18 and above. It also includes a consent section for data use and an option to receive updates on future Navy activities.