The Nigerian Navy has unveiled plans to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea through a multinational initiative, while seeking robust collaboration from Denmark to support the effort.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, made this known in Abuja during a meeting with Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jen Ole Bach Hansen, at Naval Headquarters. He reaffirmed the Navy’s leadership role in coordinating a regional maritime security framework aimed at safeguarding critical international shipping routes.
Vice Admiral Abbas highlighted the steady growth in defence ties between Nigeria and Denmark, particularly in the maritime sector, noting that the Gulf of Guinea remained a vital corridor for global trade, including Danish shipping interests. He stressed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to maintaining a secure maritime environment to support economic stability and international commerce.
Central to the discussions was the proposed Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF), scheduled to begin operations in mid-2026. The naval chief described the initiative as a coalition of partner nations designed to boost maritime domain awareness, enhance joint response capabilities, and consolidate recent gains against piracy and other maritime threats in the region. He called for Danish support in both the operational rollout and long-term sustainability of the task force.
As part of efforts to deepen naval cooperation, the CNS also invited the Danish Navy to participate in the Nigerian Navy’s upcoming International Fleet Review, aimed at fostering interoperability and stronger strategic ties among partner navies.
In his remarks, Ambassador Hansen reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to expanding its partnership with Nigeria under its Africa Strategy. He noted that bilateral cooperation has grown significantly since 2024 and commended Nigeria’s progress in improving maritime security. He also expressed Denmark’s readiness to collaborate further in advancing collective security outcomes in the Gulf of Guinea.
Both countries reiterated their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation to ensure a safe, secure, and stable maritime domain in the region.
