By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have strengthened their operational partnership in a renewed push to enhance maritime security and protect Nigeria’s deep blue economy.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment during a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja.
In an official signed statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the high-level engagement focused on consolidating air–maritime collaboration in support of Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project and advancing the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda through strengthened maritime domain security.
Dr Mobereola emphasised that maritime security remains fundamental to economic stability, international trade, and investor confidence, noting that Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters over the past four years.
He described the achievement as “a testament to the professionalism and coordinated efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies,” adding that “this achievement has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s standing in the global maritime community and created a safer environment for commerce to thrive.”
The NIMASA Director-General noted that the steady increase in maritime traffic across Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways requires sustained vigilance, enhanced surveillance, and rapid response capabilities.
He stressed that deeper collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force would guarantee continuous aerial surveillance, timely intelligence sharing, and proactive deterrence needed to safeguard maritime assets and unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.
Responding, Air Marshal Aneke assured NIMASA of the Air Force’s unwavering commitment to enhanced operational synergy, highlighting the service’s extensive air capabilities designed to support maritime security operations.
He listed these capabilities to include long-range surveillance aircraft, maritime patrol-configured platforms, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, as well as rapid-response air assets capable of swift deployment across coastal corridors.
According to him, these platforms provide real-time situational awareness, precision tracking, and coordinated response options essential for securing sea lines of communication and protecting critical offshore infrastructure.
The Chief of the Air Staff further emphasised that the integration of advanced sensors, data-link systems, and inter-agency communication frameworks enables seamless information sharing and operational coordination.
He stated that “air power remains a decisive force multiplier in maritime security operations, offering speed, flexibility and reach that significantly enhance deterrence and enforcement capabilities in support of the Deep Blue Project.”
The renewed partnership between NIMASA and the Nigerian Air Force underscores a shared strategic vision to protect Nigeria’s maritime domain and support the Federal Government’s drive to harness the nation’s vast ocean resources for sustainable development, economic growth, and long-term national prosperity.
