Gulf of Guinea Focus: Week 41
- Agwe Global
- Oct 9
- 5 min read
Nigeria’s steady progress in maritime security has drawn international recognition, with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Domínguez, pointing to the country’s zero piracy record in the past three years and the Deep Blue Project as proof of its leadership in safeguarding the Gulf of Guinea. Mr. Domínguez, who arrived in Nigeria, made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola noted that Nigeria’s investment in maritime safety infrastructure and the collaboration of its security agencies, especially the Nigerian Navy, have yielded tangible results in combating piracy and maritime crimes. According to him, these efforts demonstrate Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to ensuring safer seas, not just for its own waters but for the wider West and Central African
region. The IMO chief acknowledged Nigeria’s recent submission to the organisation outlining its national and regional security initiatives, and while commending the progress made, he stressed the need for continued support in infrastructure development and acquisition of modern equipment. He assured that the IMO would remain committed to providing technical assistance through awareness campaigns, training programmes and
capacity-building initiatives.
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The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, has encouraged the Nigerian government to sustain the Deep Blue Project, a comprehensive maritime security apparatus credited with maintaining a zero-piracy record in the nation’s waters for the last three years. Dominguez made the call after a three-day working visit to Nigeria, which culminated in an inspection and demonstration of the Deep Blue Project. The project is Nigeria’s integrated maritime security strategy championed by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to tackle piracy and crime in the nation’s water and the Gulf of Guinea using a combination of land, sea and air assets. The demonstration, held at the operational base of NIMASA at the Nigerian Navy Underwater Jetty, in Ojo, Lagos, left the IMO Secretary-General impressed by the
sophistication and effectiveness of the deep blue assets. In his remarks, Dominguez described the demonstration as “one of the most impressive displays that I have seen and experienced.” He emphasized the project’s critical role, stating, “We know how important maritime security is, particularly for Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
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Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening maritime security and promoting sustainable fishing in the Gulf of Guinea, following the arrival of the French Navy’s Tonnerre amphibious assault ship at the Port of Tema for a four-day joint naval training exercise. The visit forms part of the 2025 Regional Onboard and Digital Training Course (SIREN), which brings together personnel from the Ghana Navy and the French Navy to conduct exercises in maritime rescue, anti-piracy operations, pollution control, and crisis management. It also highlights France’s renewed engagement with coastal West African nations after withdrawing its forces from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, welcomed the French delegation and underscored the country’s commitment to protecting its maritime space and the livelihoods it supports. Her remarks carried weight, given the mounting pressures facing the region’s coastal waters. “I am proud to reaffirm Ghana’s commitment to regional maritime security and sustainable fisheries management,” she said. “The Gulf of Guinea is a vital hub for trade, security, and biodiversity, but we face significant challenges. Illegal fishing, piracy, trafficking, and environmental degradation threaten the livelihoods of our people and regional stability.”
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The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arsenio Domínguez, says Nigeria’s robust maritime safety frameworks and security facilities reflect a level of preparedness and innovation that aligns with the organisation’s global mission of safe, secure and sustainable shipping. Domínguez, who was on an official three-day working visit to Nigeria with an extensive tour of major maritime formations in Lagos, underscored the country’s pivotal role in global maritime security, rescue operations and manpower development. The IMO chief, in the company of the Minister of Marine Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola and other heads of agencies, visited the Nigerian Navy’s hydrographic research vessel, NNS Lana, stationed in Apapa. The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Gregory Oamen, and the Commanding Officer of NNS Lana, Captain O.S. Giwa, briefed him on the vessel’s operations and contributions to Nigeria’s maritime domain awareness.
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The Nigerian Navy has commenced Exercise Crocodile Lift 2025, a major multinational maritime operation aimed at testing the operational readiness of its fleet and strengthening collaboration with allied forces in the Gulf of Guinea. The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, said the exercise was designed to assess the Navy’s capacity to conduct amphibious landing operations, enhance personnel training, and
improve inter-agency cooperation against maritime security threats. Speaking during the flag-off ceremony held in Lagos, October 8, 2025, Vice Admiral Ogalla, who was represented by the Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Monday Unurhiere, explained that the exercise also aligns with Nigeria’s broader efforts to support domestic and regional maritime security initiatives under the Federal Government. His words: “This exercise is aimed at assessing the operational state and readiness of the Nigerian Navy fleet in conducting amphibious landing operations in collaboration with other friendly and allied forces. It is also to train our personnel with requisite skills to curb maritime security threats in line with our constitutional mandate.” He noted that the operation would help the Navy preserve and protect Nigeria’s maritime environment, thereby enabling the country to harness its vast
ocean resources.
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The Nigerian Navy has handed over the 17 passengers abducted by gunmen along the Calabar waterway on Sept. 25 to their families. This was disclosed in a statement by the spokesperson for Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY, Lt.-Cdr. Sulaiman Bala, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar. Bala said the victims were reunited with their families after undergoing medical examinations at the Naval Reference Hospital in Calabar, where they were taken following their rescue. It will be recalled that the 17 victims were rescued by the Navy afternoon without any ransom being paid. The passengers were traveling from Calabar to Oron in Akwa Ibom when their ferry was hijacked by gunmen. According to Bala, the rescue was carried out based on actionable intelligence. “Following the incident, gallant personnel of NNS VICTORY with support from Forward Operating Base IBAKA, promptly embarked on series of operations including blockade of the creek leading to the kidnappers’ camp. “The Nigerian Navy Air Arm organised by the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, under the direction of the Chief of the Naval Staff conducted several air surveillance operations. “This was boosted by credible intelligence from the Department of State Services and Defence Intelligence Agency, enabling our personnel to cut off logistics supply to the camp.
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