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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has graduated 177 specialised maritime security personnel under the Deep Blue Project as part of efforts to sustain Nigeria’s four-year record of piracy-free waters, strengthen maritime safety and reinforce investor confidence in the country’s blue economy.
The agency said the newly trained operatives are expected to enhance intelligence gathering, rapid response, aerial surveillance and coordinated maritime security operations within Nigeria’s territorial waters and across the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), helping to preserve recent gains that have reduced shipping risks and lowered war-risk insurance concerns.
Speaking at the C4i Capability Demonstration and Graduation Ceremony in Lagos, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, described the programme as another demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to building “a safer, smarter, and more secure maritime domain.”
“For four years now, Nigeria has maintained an impressive record of zero incidence of piracy attacks,” Mobereola said, noting that the achievement has contributed to reduced war-risk insurance premiums and restored global confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
According to him, the sustained success of the Deep Blue Project also contributed significantly to Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization, strengthening the country’s standing in global maritime governance.
The 177 graduands comprise 33 Special Mission Vessel Officers, 14 Special Mission Vessel Engineers, 107 Fast Intervention Boat Operators, Technicians and Boarding Team personnel, as well as 23 Helicopter Team members.
NIMASA said the operatives underwent intensive training in helicopter operations, medical evacuation, vessel landing and clearing, interceptor boat tactical operations and manoeuvres, communications, unmanned aerial systems capability, and first aid/combat medical response.
Mobereola expressed confidence that the knowledge and operational skills acquired during the programme would improve efficiency, intelligence coordination and rapid response capabilities, while supporting the sustainability of maritime security gains already recorded in Nigerian waters.
He also acknowledged the support of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for providing strategic direction towards strengthening the maritime sector and advancing the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda.
Beyond improving maritime trade and security, industry stakeholders believe stronger maritime surveillance systems could also help curb illegal activities at sea, including environmental violations, oil pollution and unregulated exploitation of marine resources in the Gulf of Guinea.
While congratulating the graduands, Mobereola charged them to uphold professionalism, discipline, patriotism and integrity in carrying out their responsibilities, stressing that the task of securing Nigeria’s maritime domain remains critical to national economic growth.
He further commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, Homeland Security International, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Police Force and other stakeholders for supporting the Deep Blue Project, reiterating NIMASA’s commitment to sustaining partnerships aimed at ensuring a safe, secure and resilient maritime industry.
“We shall continue to build a maritime sector that is safe, secure, resilient, and capable of driving sustainable economic growth for Nigeria and the entire Gulf of Guinea,” he stated.
The event also featured the demonstration of Deep Blue Project air based and marine assets giving journalists and participants a peek into the operations of the assets.
Earlier, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, reaffirmed the critical importance of inter-agency collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s maritime security architecture, even as he described the graduation as a renewed commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and the GoG.
Abbas, who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, congratulated participants who successfully completed the specialised training, describing their performance during the capability demonstration as “surgically executed,” with high levels of operational efficiency and professionalism.
According to him, the Deep Blue Project stands out as a “classic example of inter-agency collaboration,” stressing that modern national security demands sustained cooperation, professionalism, vigilance, and continuous capacity development among all maritime stakeholders.
