The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have reinforced their operational partnership aimed at strengthening maritime security and advancing Nigeria’s Deep Blue Economy initiative.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, made this known during 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 on 20 February 2026.
The high-level engagement focused on consolidating air–maritime collaboration in support of Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project and enhancing maritime domain security as a critical pillar of the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda.
Speaking during the visit, Mobereola described maritime security as central to economic stability, international trade and investor confidence. He noted that Nigeria has maintained a sustained record of zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters over the past four years, attributing the achievement to coordinated operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies.
According to him, the milestone has strengthened Nigeria’s reputation within the global maritime community while creating a safer environment for commercial activities and maritime investments.
The NIMASA boss further observed that increasing maritime traffic across Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways necessitates sustained vigilance, advanced surveillance systems and rapid-response capabilities. He emphasised that closer collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force would enhance aerial monitoring, intelligence sharing and proactive deterrence measures required to safeguard maritime assets and unlock the full potential of the nation’s blue economy.
Responding, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Aneke, reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to deepening inter-agency cooperation in maritime security operations. He highlighted the NAF’s specialised air capabilities supporting maritime roles, including long-range surveillance aircraft, maritime patrol-configured platforms, unmanned aerial vehicles for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and rapid-response air assets capable of swift deployment across coastal corridors.
He explained that these platforms provide real-time situational awareness, precision tracking and coordinated response options essential for protecting sea lines of communication and critical offshore infrastructure.
Air Marshal Aneke added that the integration of advanced sensors, data-link systems and inter-agency communication frameworks has significantly improved information sharing and operational coordination, noting that air power remained a decisive force multiplier in maritime security operations due to its speed, flexibility and extended operational reach.
The renewed partnership between NIMASA and the Nigerian Air Force underscores a shared strategic vision aligned with the Federal Government’s commitment to harness Nigeria’s maritime resources for sustainable national development. By strengthening air–maritime security architecture and safeguarding the nation’s waterways, both institutions aim to reinforce the foundation for economic growth, job creation and long-term prosperity under Nigeria’s expanding blue economy framework.
