The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to deepening operational collaboration with the United Arab Emirates to enhance maritime security and safeguard strategic trade routes within the Gulf of Guinea.
The CNS made this known during a meeting with the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Saylem Saeed Alshamsi, according to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.
The discussions focused on strengthening maritime domain awareness, shipbuilding, naval technology transfer and joint efforts to combat piracy, crude oil theft, sea robbery and other transnational maritime crimes affecting the Gulf of Guinea.
Ambassador Alshamsi commended the Nigerian Navy for its sustained operations aimed at securing regional waters and protecting critical maritime infrastructure. He particularly praised the impact of Operation DELTA SENTINEL, citing the recent seizure of a large cache of crude oil and petroleum products by Nigerian Navy personnel.
The ambassador noted that growing trade and commercial relations between Nigeria and its international partners underscored the strategic importance of a secure Gulf of Guinea to ensure uninterrupted maritime commerce.
He also stressed the need for stronger international maritime cooperation to sustain regional economic stability and boost confidence in global shipping operations.
In his remarks, Vice Admiral Abbas described the construction of NNS KADA in Sharjah as a major symbol of the expanding partnership between the Nigerian Navy and the UAE.
He added that the Nigerian Navy looked forward to deeper cooperation in naval technology transfer to support indigenous shipbuilding capacity, improve fleet readiness and strengthen maritime security operations across the Gulf of Guinea.
