The African Union (AU) has reached out to the Nigerian Navy for support in organizing a pan-African naval exercise slated for 2027, designed to bolster cooperation between African navies and strengthen interaction with international partners.
This appeal was made by Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, during his visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.
Adeoye noted that this planned exercise would create a vital platform for enhancing interoperability, building collective capacity, and fostering a unified maritime security architecture across the continent.
He emphasized the importance of the Nigerian Navy continuing its leadership roles in maritime security across Africa, referencing its recent designation as the continent's most powerful naval fleet in the Global Firepower rankings. Adeoye pointed out that Nigeria's operational expertise, institutional capacity, and regional influence position it well to host such a large-scale multinational naval event.
In addition to the 2027 initiative, the AU commissioner also encouraged the Nigerian Navy to contemplate organizing a regional naval exercise involving navies from the ECOWAS Maritime Zone E, as well as other interested partners. He mentioned that such an undertaking could serve as a model for future multinational maritime collaboration.
Adeoye raised concerns over the rising threat of transnational maritime crimes and underscored the necessity for ongoing collaborative efforts among African navies. He cited the Nigerian Navy's leadership in the Gulf of Guinea as exemplary in combating piracy, illegal trafficking, and other maritime security issues.
He further praised the Navy's successful prevention of piracy incidents in Nigerian waters since 2022, which has led to Nigeria being removed from the International Maritime Bureau's piracy list, and highlighted its cooperation with neighboring navies in the Gulf of Guinea.
Adeoye stressed that securing maritime routes is increasingly critical as Africa progresses with the African Continental Free Trade Area initiative, which aims to unite 55 economies and enable the free flow of goods and services across the continent.
In response, Vice Admiral Abbas welcomed the AU delegation and assured them of the Nigerian Navy's commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and maritime security in Africa. He committed to reviewing the proposal for a regional naval exercise involving member states of the ECOWAS Maritime Zone E under the Combined Maritime Task Force framework.
Abbas reiterated that protecting Nigeria's maritime domain from criminal and illicit activities remains a top priority for the Nigerian Navy.
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