The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening air–maritime cooperation to enhance security across Nigeria’s territorial waters and support the Federal Government’s Deep Blue Project.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the agency disclosed that the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting, according to Nigerian Pilot, focused on consolidating collaboration to advance Nigeria’s blue economy agenda through improved maritime domain security.
Mobereola reaffirmed that maritime security remains fundamental to economic stability, international trade and sustained investor confidence. He highlighted Nigeria’s sustained, long-term trend of zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters over the last four years, describing the milestone as a “testament to the professionalism and coordinated efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies.”
“This achievement has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s standing in the global maritime community and created a safer environment for commerce to thrive,” he added.
The NIMASA boss further observed that the increasing volume of maritime traffic across Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways requires sustained vigilance, advanced surveillance and rapid response capabilities. He stressed that deeper partnership with the Nigerian Air Force would guarantee continuous aerial monitoring, prompt intelligence sharing and proactive deterrence necessary to safeguard maritime assets and unlock the full potential of the nation’s blue economy.
Responding, Air Marshal Aneke assured the NIMASA leadership of the Air Force’s unwavering commitment to enhanced operational synergy. He outlined the NAF’s air capabilities suited for maritime operations, including long-range surveillance aircraft, maritime patrol-configured platforms, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and rapid-response air assets capable of swift deployment along coastal corridors.
He added that the integration of advanced sensors, data-link systems and inter-agency communication frameworks ensures seamless information flow and coordinated operations. Aneke noted that “air power remains a decisive force multiplier in maritime security operations, offering speed, flexibility and reach that significantly enhance deterrence and enforcement capabilities in support of the Deep Blue Project.”
By Emmanuel Obisue, Abuja
