By Helen Udo Abuja -NIGERIA.
The African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AU CPAPS), Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja on 5 February 2026.
The visit underscored the African Union’s commitment to strengthening maritime security cooperation across the continent and recognising Nigeria’s strategic role in regional and continental stability.
These was contained in a statement issued by the Acting Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho on Friday in Abuja.
According to the statement said during the engagement, Ambassador Adeoye congratulated Vice Admiral Abbas on the Nigerian Navy’s remarkable achievements in maritime security, particularly its success in preventing piracy attacks in Nigerian waters since 2022, leading to Nigeria’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy list.
He also lauded the Navy’s contributions to combating transnational maritime crimes through sustained collaboration with navies in the Gulf of Guinea, noting that these efforts are critical as Africa advances the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The AU Commissioner proposed the hosting of a pan-African naval exercise in 2027 to deepen cooperation among African navies, while encouraging the Nigerian Navy to continue playing a leading role.
He referenced the Global Firepower report that ranked Nigeria as having Africa’s strongest naval fleet and sought the support of the Chief of the Naval Staff for a continent-wide naval exercise involving African and partner navies.
Ambassador Adeoye further advocated for a regional naval exercise among ECOWAS Maritime Zone E navies as a model for future continental maritime engagements.
In his response, Vice Admiral Abbas welcomed the AU delegation and commended the African Union’s steadfast efforts toward peace and stability in Africa.
He assured that the Nigerian Navy would consider the proposal for a regional naval exercise under the Combined Maritime Task Force framework and reaffirmed the Navy’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain against criminal and illicit activities while supporting collective maritime security initiatives across the continent.
