Gulf of Guinea Focus: Week 28
- Agwe Global
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
The Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, on Monday, 13 July 2026, received the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, His Excellency Frank Garcia, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the long-standing strategic partnership between Nigeria and the United States.
Welcoming the United States delegation, Ambassador Enikanolaiye underscored the importance Nigeria attaches to its bilateral relations with the United States. He expressed confidence that the visit would deepen cooperation across key sectors and provide further impetus to the growing partnership between both countries.
The Port Facility Security Officers Forum of Nigeria, Niger Delta Maritime Sector (PFSOFN-NDMSA), has elected a new Executive Committee to enhance maritime security coordination and strengthen port facility protection across the Niger Delta region.
The election was conducted on Friday, July 10, 2026, during the Forum’s meeting held at Julius Berger Services Nigeria Limited, Warri Port Complex, Delta State.
The meeting brought together Port Facility Security Officers from various maritime facilities across the Niger Delta to discuss emerging security challenges, exchange operational experiences, and strengthen collaboration towards improving compliance with maritime security regulations.
Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has said the establishment of a Nigerian Navy base in the state will improve surveillance, deter criminal activities and strengthen security along its waterways.
Kefas stated this on Monday while receiving a delegation from the Naval Headquarters, led by the Chief of Administration, Rear Admiral Jonathan Joseph Nwunuji Mamman, during a courtesy visit to the TY Danjuma House in Jalingo.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has intensified its campaign against stowaways by taking its public awareness drive to grassroots communities as part of efforts to curb the growing menace.
At Snake Island, Lagos, the agency engaged community leaders, youths, and residents in an interactive sensitisation programme aimed at educating them on the dangers, legal implications, and far-reaching consequences of attempting to stow away on vessels.
Participants commended NIMASA for bringing the awareness campaign directly to the community, describing the initiative as timely, impactful, and essential in discouraging youths from engaging in the illegal and dangerous practice.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has condemned another sharp escalation in attacks on merchant shipping and transport workers on two fronts – the US-Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine war – warning that civilian seafarers and other transport workers are being killed and injured in wars they have no part in.
In the Strait of Hormuz, oil tankers Mombasa B and Al Bahiyah were struck while transiting the Strait’s southern route, killing one seafarer and leaving others injured, while a seafarer remains missing following a separate attack on the M/V GFS Galaxy.
The United Nations (UN) has highlighted renewed efforts at dialogue, regional cooperation and democratic governance across West Africa and the Sahel, while urging countries in the region to sustain investments in peace, security and development.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, made the call while presenting the latest Secretary-General’s report on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel to the UN Security Council.
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