AU Security Commissioner Seeks Nigeria’s Leadership for Pan-African Naval Exercise in 2027

Janet Salihu

The African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AU CPAPS), Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s leading role in maritime security across Africa.

Amb. Adeoye made the remark during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.

Ambassador Adeoye congratulated Vice Admiral Abbas on the Nigerian Navy’s achievements in curbing piracy and maritime crime, noting that Nigeria has recorded zero piracy attacks in its waters since 2022, leading to its removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy list, praised the Navy’s collaboration with regional and international partners to combat transnational crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.

The AU Commissioner highlighted the strategic importance of maritime security as Africa advances the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to integrate 55 economies into the world’s largest free trade bloc. He described Nigeria’s naval leadership as critical to safeguarding trade routes and regional stability.

Ambassador Adeoye proposed the organisation of a continent-wide naval exercise in 2027 to deepen cooperation among African navies and enhance collective maritime security.

He urged the Nigerian Navy to play a leading role in the initiative, referencing the Global Firepower report that ranked Nigeria as having the strongest naval fleet in Africa.

He also encouraged the Navy to organise a regional exercise involving ECOWAS Maritime Zone E navies to serve as a model for future continental maritime engagements.

In his response, Vice Admiral Abbas welcomed the AU Commissioner and commended the African Union’s commitment to peace and security.

He said the Nigerian Navy would review the proposal for a regional exercise under the Combined Maritime Task Force framework and reaffirmed the Navy’s resolve to keep Nigeria’s maritime domain free of criminal and illicit activities.

The visit underscored Nigeria’s growing influence in continental maritime security initiatives and the African Union’s push for coordinated naval operations to combat piracy and other transnational maritime threats.