The African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, has appealed to the Nigerian Navy to spearhead a new continental naval security architecture to crush piracy and transnational maritime crimes across African waters.
Ambassador Adeoye made the appeal on Thursday February 5, 2026 in Abuja
during a high-level courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, at the Naval Headquarters.
Noting Nigerian’s growing dominance in maritime , Ambassador Adeoye observed
that Nigerian Navy’s recent operational successes have already led to sustained crackdown on piracy and the country’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy List in 2022—a feat he described as a turning point for maritime safety in the Gulf of Guinea.
He said that the Navy’s aggressive sea patrols, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with regional and international partners have effectively denied criminal networks operating space in Nigerian waters.
“Nigeria’s leadership at sea has reshaped maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea,” Adeoye said, adding that the Navy’s performance has strengthened Africa’s credibility in global shipping and trade.
Adeoye linked Nigeria’s maritime gains to the success of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), stressing that secure sea lanes are critical as Africa moves to integrate 55 economies into the world’s largest free trade area.
He said that piracy, smuggling and other transnational maritime crimes pose direct threats to Africa’s economic ambitions, making sustained naval cooperation non-negotiable.
The AU Commissioner urged Nigeria to support and host a pan-African naval exercise in 2027, designed to deepen cooperation among African navies and engage partner fleets from outside the continent.
He said such an exercise would build collective capacity, improve interoperability and project Africa’s resolve to secure its maritime domain.
The AU commissioner encouraged the Nigerian Navy to maintain its leadership role, citing a recent Global Firepower ranking that placed Nigeria as having the strongest naval fleet in Africa.
Beyond the continental drill, Adeoye proposed a regional naval exercise involving ECOWAS Maritime Zone E navies and other willing partners, describing it as a potential template for future Africa-wide maritime operations.
He stressed that Nigeria’s leadership in the Gulf of Guinea offers a proven model for sustained maritime security across the continent.
In his response the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Abbas commended African Union’s commitment to peace and stability.
He assured that the Nigerian Navy would carefully review the proposal for a regional exercise under the framework of the Combined Maritime Task Force, involving Zone E member states.
“The Nigerian Navy remains committed to keeping our maritime domain free from criminals and illicit activities,” the CNS said.
He said Nigerian efforts and commitment has led to a growing push by African leaders to consolidate maritime security through Nigerian leadership, as the continent work to positions itself for increased trade, shipping and economic integration.