By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Navy has strengthened its commitment to international maritime security collaboration following a courtesy visit by a United States Congressional Delegation to the Western Naval Command Headquarters in Lagos.
According to an official signed statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the delegation, led by Mr. Adam Barker, was received by the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, who highlighted the Command’s pivotal role in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain and supporting broader security initiatives in the Gulf of Guinea.
During the engagement, Rear Admiral Mustapha underscored the importance of the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability as a critical tool for enhancing maritime domain awareness through real-time monitoring, intelligence sharing, and coordinated operational responses. He noted that the system has significantly improved the Nigerian Navy’s capacity to combat sea robbery, crude oil theft, and other illicit maritime activities, contributing to safer and more secure shipping routes.
The Flag Officer Commanding further stated that the capability played a decisive role in curbing piracy in Nigerian waters in 2022, a development that led to Nigeria’s removal from the piracy list of the International Maritime Bureau.
He emphasised that sustained collaboration with international partners, particularly the United States, remains essential to advancing maritime security objectives, noting that such engagements facilitate capacity building, technical support, and intelligence exchange required to address evolving threats in the maritime environment.
As part of the visit, the delegation toured the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability Complex and received a detailed operational briefing on its functions and contributions to regional maritime security.
In his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Adam Barker, commended the Nigerian Navy’s proactive posture in securing the maritime domain and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to continued cooperation, particularly in strengthening maritime awareness and enhancing collective security frameworks in the Gulf of Guinea.
The visit also provided an avenue for both sides to exchange views on emerging maritime threats and identify practical areas for expanded operational collaboration.
