NAF, NIMASA Strengthen Air–maritime Synergy To Secure Nigeria’s Deep Blue Economy
The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, on 20 February 2026 paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force, Abuja. The strategic engagement centred on consolidating air–maritime collaboration in support of Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project and advancing the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda through enhanced maritime domain security.
Dr Mobereola reaffirmed that maritime security remains fundamental to economic stability, international trade and sustained investor confidence. He highlighted Nigeria’s reported sustained, long-term trend of zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters over the last four years, describing the milestone as a “testament to the professionalism and coordinated efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies”. According to him, “this achievement has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s standing in the global maritime community and created a safer environment for commerce to thrive”.
The DG further noted that the growing volume of maritime traffic across Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways demands sustained vigilance, advanced surveillance and rapid response capabilities. He emphasised that strengthened partnership with the Nigerian Air Force would ensure continuous aerial oversight, timely intelligence sharing and proactive deterrence, all of which are critical to protecting maritime assets and unlocking the full potential of the nation’s blue economy.
In his response, Air Marshal Aneke assured the NIMASA DG of the NAF’s unwavering commitment to enhanced operational synergy. The CAS outlined the Nigerian Air Force’s robust air capabilities tailored to maritime roles, including long-range surveillance aircraft, maritime patrol-configured platforms, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and rapid-response air assets capable of swift deployment across coastal corridors. He emphasised that these platforms provide real-time situational awareness, precision tracking and coordinated response options essential for securing sea lines of communication and critical offshore infrastructure.
Air Marshal Aneke further stressed that the integration of advanced sensors, data-link systems and inter-agency communication frameworks enables seamless information flow and operational coordination. He noted that “air power remains a decisive force multiplier in maritime security operations, offering speed, flexibility and reach that significantly enhance deterrence and enforcement capabilities in support of the Deep Blue Project”.
The renewed partnership between NIMASA and the Nigerian Air Force reflects a shared strategic vision aligned with the President’s drive to harness Nigeria’s vast maritime resources for sustainable national development. By strengthening air–maritime security architecture and safeguarding the nation’s waterways, both institutions are reinforcing the foundation upon which Nigeria’s blue economy can flourish, driving economic growth, job creation and long-term prosperity.
