By Sumaila Ogbaje
The African Union (AU) has commended the Nigerian Navy for its leadership in maritime security and proposed a continent-wide naval exercise to strengthen cooperation among African navies.
AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, made the call during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, on Friday in Abuja.
A statement by the Acting Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho said Adeoye congratulated the naval chief on the navy’s achievements in maritime security.
It said the ambassador also lauded the sustained prevention of piracy attacks in Nigerian waters since 2022.
According to him, such efforts have led to Nigeria’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau piracy list.
He also praised the navy’s role in combating transnational maritime crimes through cooperation with regional and international partners in the Gulf of Guinea.
Adeoye described Nigeria’s efforts as critical to safeguarding trade as Africa advanced the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The AU commissioner also proposed a pan-African naval exercise in 2027 to deepen interoperability among African navies and urged Nigeria to maintain a leading role.
He cited global assessments that ranked Nigeria as Africa’s strongest naval fleet.
The Commissioner encouraged the Navy to consider a regional exercise involving ECOWAS Maritime Zone E navies as a template for broader continental engagement.
In his response, the CNS, Abbas welcomed the proposal and reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustained collaboration to keep Nigeria’s maritime domain free of criminal and illicit activities.
He said the Navy would review the proposed regional exercise under the framework of the Combined Maritime Task Force.
The visit underscored the AU’s resolve to strengthen collective maritime security across Africa through sustained partnerships and coordinated operations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
