The African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye, has paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters in Abuja.
The visit, according to Acting Director of Information, Captain (Nigerian Navy) AA Folorunso, took place on 5 February 2026, provided an opportunity for Ambassador Adeoye to congratulate Vice Admiral Abbas on the Nigerian Navy’s notable achievements in maritime security.
He particularly praised the Navy’s sustained success in preventing piracy attacks in Nigerian waters, efforts that culminated in Nigeria’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau Piracy List in 2022.
Ambassador Adeoye also highlighted the Nigerian Navy’s critical role in countering transnational maritime crimes through effective collaboration with other navies in the Gulf of Guinea. He noted that these efforts are increasingly important as Africa advances the African Continental Free Trade Area agenda, which seeks to integrate 55 economies into the world’s largest free trade area, relying heavily on secure maritime routes.
During the meeting, the AU Commissioner proposed the hosting of a pan-African naval exercise in 2027 aimed at strengthening cooperation among African navies. He encouraged the Nigerian Navy to continue its leadership role, citing a recent Global Firepower report that ranked Nigeria as having the strongest naval fleet in Africa. Ambassador Adeoye requested the support of the Chief of the Naval Staff for the African Union’s plan to host the continent-wide exercise, which would also involve partner navies from around the world.
In addition, he urged the Nigerian Navy to consider organising a regional naval exercise involving ECOWAS Maritime Zone E and other willing participants. According to him, such an initiative would enhance maritime security cooperation, serve as a template for future exercises, and promote broader engagement across the continent. He stressed that sustained collaboration is essential to effectively combat transnational maritime crimes, describing the Nigerian Navy’s leadership in the Gulf of Guinea as a model for enduring maritime security operations in Africa.
Responding, Vice Admiral Abbas warmly welcomed Ambassador Adeoye and commended the African Union for its commitment to peace and stability across Africa. He assured the AU Commissioner that the Nigerian Navy would review the proposal for a regional exercise involving ECOWAS Maritime Zone E member navies under the auspices of the Combined Maritime Task Force. The Chief of the Naval Staff reaffirmed the Navy’s resolve to sustain ongoing efforts to keep Nigeria’s maritime domain free from criminal and illicit activities.
