By Nkechi Eze
The African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AU CPAPS), His Excellency Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, has commended the Nigerian Navy for its outstanding achievements in maritime security and its leading role in combating piracy and transnational maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea, while calling for deeper continental naval cooperation anchored by Nigeria’s leadership.
Ambassador Adeoye made these remarks on Wednesday, 5 February 2026, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja.
In a statement signed by the Acting Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the AU Commissioner congratulated Vice Admiral Abbas on the remarkable successes recorded by the Nigerian Navy in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain, particularly the sustained absence of piracy incidents in Nigerian waters since 2022.
He recalled that Nigeria’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy List marked a major milestone for the country and the wider Gulf of Guinea region, noting that the feat reflects years of consistent investment, operational innovation and strategic leadership by the Nigerian Navy.
Ambassador Adeoye also highlighted the Navy’s instrumental role in combating transnational crimes such as illegal bunkering, arms smuggling, human trafficking and narcotics trafficking through close collaboration with regional and international navies. According to him, these efforts have significantly contributed to improved safety of sea lanes and increased confidence among international shipping operators.
He stressed that the Nigerian Navy’s maritime security successes are particularly crucial at a time when Africa is deepening economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to unite 55 economies into the world’s largest free trade area.
“Maritime security is central to Africa’s economic future. Safe and secure sea routes are indispensable for the success of AfCFTA, and Nigeria’s leadership in this area is highly commendable,” Ambassador Adeoye said.
As part of efforts to consolidate continental maritime cooperation, the AU Commissioner proposed the conduct of a pan-African naval exercise in 2027 aimed at strengthening interoperability, information sharing and joint operational capability among African navies.
He encouraged the Nigerian Navy to play a leading role in the conceptualisation and execution of the exercise, particularly in view of the recent Global Firepower report which ranked Nigeria as possessing the strongest naval fleet in Africa.
Ambassador Adeoye formally sought the support of the Chief of the Naval Staff for the African Union’s plan to host the continent-wide naval exercise, which would also involve partner navies from other parts of the world.
In addition, he urged the Nigerian Navy to consider organising a regional naval exercise involving navies within ECOWAS Maritime Zone E and other willing participants. He explained that such an exercise could serve as a practical template for broader continental maritime engagements, while further strengthening cooperation and trust among neighbouring navies.
The AU Commissioner emphasised that sustained collaborative initiatives remain essential to defeating transnational maritime criminal networks and described the Nigerian Navy’s leadership in the Gulf of Guinea as an exemplary model for enduring maritime security operations across Africa.
In his response, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas warmly welcomed Ambassador Adeoye and expressed appreciation for the African Union’s unwavering commitment to promoting peace, stability and security across the continent.
The Chief of the Naval Staff reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s readiness to continue supporting continental and regional initiatives aimed at enhancing maritime security and cooperation.
He disclosed that the Navy would carefully review the proposal for a regional naval exercise involving ECOWAS Maritime Zone E member navies under the framework of the Combined Maritime Task Force, noting that such engagements align with Nigeria’s broader maritime security strategy.
Vice Admiral Abbas further reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s determination to sustain its operational tempo to ensure that Nigeria’s maritime domain remains free from criminals and illicit activities.
He assured the AU Commissioner of the Navy’s willingness to collaborate closely with the African Union and other partners to advance collective maritime security objectives and strengthen Africa’s capacity to protect its vast maritime resources.
The visit underscored the growing strategic partnership between the African Union and the Nigerian Navy, as well as Nigeria’s central role in shaping the future of maritime security on the continent.
