The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s strategic commitment to strengthening maritime security cooperation in West Africa following his participation in the Fifth Meeting of the ECOWAS Sub-Committee of Chiefs of the Naval Staff held in Accra, Ghana, from 16 to 20 February 2026.
Vice Admiral Abbas joined fellow Chiefs of Naval Staff from ECOWAS member states at the high-level meeting, which also brought together the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, directors of regional maritime security centres, representatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Union–African Chamber of Commerce, and the Commander of the Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF).
In his remarks, Ambassador Musah commended member states for notable progress achieved since the adoption of the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy. He highlighted the successful conduct of Operation SAFE DOMAIN in Zone E, Operation ANOUANZE in Zone F, and sustained joint maritime patrols within Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) Zone G, describing them as critical milestones in enhancing regional maritime governance and collective security.
The Commissioner emphasised the urgency of expanding security collaboration to confront evolving threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking, and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. He further underscored the importance of improved coordination with landlocked countries including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in addressing terrorism and transnational organised crime across the region.
Nigeria’s leadership role in maritime security received special recognition during the meeting, particularly for the deployment of the FALCON EYE Maritime Surveillance System, which continues to enhance maritime domain awareness and counter maritime criminality in the Gulf of Guinea. Participants also deliberated on emerging environmental and security concerns linked to declining water levels in the Lake Chad Basin and their broader regional implications.
A key outcome of the meeting was renewed commitment toward operationalising the Combined Maritime Task Force through a coalition of ready nations. Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone formally expressed interest in joining Nigeria in the initiative. The official flag-off of the CMTF is scheduled to take place in Lagos from 31 May to 1 June 2026.
As host nation, Nigeria was commended for its proactive support toward the establishment of the task force, including the designation of three naval ships, one helicopter, eight vehicles, and a temporary furnished operational office in Lagos to facilitate the launch.
The CMTF is envisioned as a rapidly deployable regional maritime force capable of coordinated responses to complex security challenges, leveraging intelligence and operational coordination within the Yaoundé Architecture framework to enhance safety and stability across the Gulf of Guinea.
Vice Admiral Abbas’ engagements at the summit further strengthened Nigeria’s position as a leading contributor to regional maritime security. His continued collaboration with partner navies under the Yaoundé Code of Conduct is expected to deepen operational synergy, promote the exchange of best practices, and advance African-led solutions to maritime threats within West Africa’s maritime domain.
The Acting Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Captain A.A. Folorunsho,in a release stated that the engagement underscored Nigeria’s enduring commitment to collective security, regional cooperation, and the protection of maritime resources critical to economic development and regional stability.
