Nigeria Navy Hosts AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security to Strengthen Pan-African Maritime Security Cooperation

The Nigerian Navy has reinforced its continental leadership in maritime security as the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AU CPAPS), Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, visited Naval Headquarters, Abuja, on 5 February 2026.

Desk: Defence & Security
Date: Friday, 6 February 2026
Time: 14:30 WAT
Location: Abuja, Nigeria

The engagement highlighted plans for future pan-African naval exercises, collaboration to combat transnational maritime crimes, and Nigeria’s continued operational readiness in securing its waters and supporting regional stability.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Director of Information, Captain AA Folorunsho, Ambassador Adeoye congratulated the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, on the Navy’s outstanding record in preventing piracy and combating transnational crimes in the Gulf of Guinea. He emphasised the strategic importance of sustained maritime security initiatives as Africa implements the African Free Trade Agreement, which seeks to unify 55 economies and create the world’s largest free trade area.

The AU CPAPS proposed a continent-wide naval exercise in 2027 to enhance cooperation among African navies and requested Nigerian Navy support to host the exercise with partner navies globally. He further encouraged a regional exercise involving ECOWAS Maritime Zone E navies and other willing participants to promote interoperability, develop a template for future maritime operations, and strengthen collective response against criminal activities at sea.

Vice Admiral Abbas welcomed the proposals, reiterating the Navy’s commitment to maintaining Nigeria’s maritime domain free from criminality and illicit activity. He confirmed that the Navy would review plans for a regional exercise under the Combined Maritime Task Force framework and highlighted Nigeria’s role as a model for enduring maritime security operations across Africa.

FACT-CHECK & BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Nigeria has consistently led efforts to secure the Gulf of Guinea, removing itself from the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy List in 2022. 

Its naval fleet, recently ranked the strongest in Africa by the Global Firepower report, has collaborated with regional and international partners to combat piracy, smuggling, and transnational maritime crimes. 

Past initiatives demonstrate measurable improvements in securing trade routes, protecting vulnerable coastal communities, and enhancing continental maritime cooperation.

The African Union continues to engage Nigeria and other regional naval powers to coordinate exercises, strengthen interoperability, and address both immediate and long-term security challenges.

🏷 Tags: Defence, Nigeria, African Union, Nigerian Navy, Maritime Security, Naval Cooperation

 #Defence #NigeriaNavy #AUCPAPS #MaritimeSecurity #NavalCooperation