The Nigerian Navy has reinforced its international maritime security collaboration following a high-level visit by a United States Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to the Western Naval Command Headquarters in Lagos.
The delegation, led by Mr. Adam Barker, was received by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, who reaffirmed the Command’s pivotal role in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and supporting wider security efforts across the Gulf of Guinea.
During the engagement, Rear Admiral Mustapha highlighted the importance of the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC), describing it as a strategic platform that enhances maritime domain awareness through real-time surveillance, intelligence sharing, and coordinated response operations. He noted that the system has significantly strengthened the Navy’s ability to combat sea robbery, crude oil theft, and other illegal maritime activities.
He further explained that RMAC played a decisive role in curbing piracy in Nigerian waters in 2022, a milestone that led to Nigeria’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy list.
The FOC stressed that sustained collaboration with international partners, particularly the United States, remains critical to advancing maritime security objectives. According to him, such partnerships provide opportunities for capacity building, technical support, and intelligence exchange needed to tackle evolving maritime threats in the region.
As part of the visit, the U.S. delegation toured the RMAC Complex and received a detailed operational briefing on its capabilities and contributions to regional maritime security.
In his remarks, Barker commended the Nigerian Navy’s proactive approach and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to continued cooperation, especially in strengthening maritime awareness and enhancing collective security frameworks in the Gulf of Guinea.
The engagement also provided a platform for both sides to exchange perspectives on emerging threats and identify practical areas for deeper operational collaboration.
