The African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AU CPAPS), His Excellency Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja, on 5 February 2026.
During the visit, Ambassador Adeoye congratulated Vice Admiral Abbas on the Nigerian Navy’s remarkable achievements in maritime security. He commended the Navy for its sustained success in preventing piracy attacks in Nigerian waters, noting that Nigeria’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy list in 2022 was a significant milestone. The Commissioner further praised the Nigerian Navy’s critical role in combating transnational maritime crimes through effective collaboration with other navies within the Gulf of Guinea.
Ambassador Adeoye emphasised that the Nigerian Navy’s efforts are particularly vital as Africa advances the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to integrate 55 economies and establish the world’s largest free trade zone. He stressed that enhanced maritime security is essential to safeguarding trade, investment, and economic growth across the continent.
At the meeting, the AU Commissioner proposed the organisation of a pan-African naval exercise in 2027 to strengthen cooperation among African navies. He encouraged the Nigerian Navy to continue playing a leading role, especially in view of the recent Global Firepower report, which ranked Nigeria as having the strongest naval fleet in Africa. Ambassador Adeoye sought the support of the Chief of the Naval Staff for the African Union’s plan to host the continent-wide exercise, which would also involve partner navies from around the world. He additionally urged the Nigerian Navy to consider organising a regional naval exercise involving ECOWAS Maritime Zone E navies and other willing participants, noting that such an initiative could serve as a model for future maritime exercises and deepen continental maritime cooperation.
In his response, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas warmly welcomed Ambassador Adeoye and commended the African Union for its unwavering commitment to promoting peace and stability across Africa. He stated that the Nigerian Navy would examine the proposal for a regional exercise involving ECOWAS Maritime Zone E member navies under the framework of the Combined Maritime Task Force. The Chief of the Naval Staff reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to sustain robust operations aimed at keeping Nigeria’s maritime domain safe from criminal and illicit activities.
Members of the public are kindly requested to take note of this engagement.