Nigerian Navy, UAE Strengthen Maritime Security Partnership in Gulf of Guinea

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening operational collaboration with the United Arab Emirates to improve maritime security and protect strategic trade routes in the Gulf of Guinea.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, made this known during a meeting with the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Nigeria, Saylem Saeed Alshamsi.

Discussions at the meeting focused on maritime domain awareness, shipbuilding, naval technology transfer, and joint efforts to combat piracy, crude oil theft, sea robbery, and other transnational maritime crimes within the Gulf of Guinea.

The UAE envoy commended the Nigerian Navy for its sustained operations in securing regional waters and protecting critical maritime infrastructure.Alshamsi particularly praised the impact of the Nigerian Navy’s Operation DELTA SENTINEL, noting the recent seizure of large quantities of crude oil and petroleum products by naval personnel.

He also stressed the importance of securing the Gulf of Guinea to support growing trade and commercial activities between Nigeria and international partners, adding that stronger international maritime cooperation remains essential for regional economic stability and global shipping confidence.

In his remarks, Vice Admiral Abbas described the construction of NNS KADA in Sharjah as a major symbol of the growing defence partnership between Nigeria and the UAE.

The Naval Chief said the Nigerian Navy was looking forward to deeper cooperation in naval technology transfer to strengthen indigenous shipbuilding capacity, improve fleet readiness, and enhance maritime security operations across the Gulf of Guinea.