NAF, NIMASA strengthen air–maritime security collaboration

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, on February 20, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja to reinforce strategic cooperation in maritime security.

The meeting focused on strengthening air–maritime collaboration in support of Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project and advancing the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda through enhanced maritime domain protection.

Dr. Mobereola emphasised that maritime security remains critical to economic stability, global trade, and investor confidence. He highlighted Nigeria’s reported four-year record of zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters, describing it as a testament to the professionalism and coordinated efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies. According to him, the milestone has significantly boosted Nigeria’s reputation in the global maritime community and created a safer environment for commerce.

He noted that increasing maritime traffic along Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways requires sustained vigilance, advanced surveillance systems, and rapid-response capabilities. Strengthened collaboration with the Air Force, he said, would guarantee continuous aerial monitoring, improved intelligence sharing, and proactive deterrence—key components for safeguarding maritime assets and unlocking the country’s blue economy potential.

In response, Air Marshal Aneke reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to operational synergy. He outlined the service’s air capabilities tailored to maritime operations, including long-range surveillance aircraft, maritime patrol platforms, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and rapid-response air assets capable of swift deployment across coastal corridors. These platforms, he said, provide real-time situational awareness, precision tracking, and coordinated response necessary to secure sea lines of communication and critical offshore infrastructure.

He further underscored the integration of advanced sensors, data-link systems, and inter-agency communication frameworks that enable seamless information flow and coordinated action. Air power, he noted, remains a decisive force multiplier in maritime security operations, offering speed, flexibility, and reach that enhance deterrence and enforcement capabilities in support of the Deep Blue Project.

The renewed partnership reflects a shared strategic vision to harness Nigeria’s maritime resources for sustainable national development. By fortifying air–maritime security architecture and protecting the nation’s waterways, both institutions aim to reinforce the foundation for a thriving blue economy, driving growth, employment, and long-term prosperity.