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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening maritime security operations through deeper collaboration to include partnerships for ISR platforms, tactical air support and rapid airborne deployment
The renewed partnership was underscored during a courtesy visit by NIMASA Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal S.K. Aneke, at the NAF headquarters in Abuja.
Mobereola described the Air Force as a critical strategic partner in sustaining Nigeria’s maritime security gains, particularly in tactical air surveillance and rapid response coordination.
He noted that Nigeria has maintained a record of zero piracy incidents in the last four years – a milestone he attributed to the effective deployment of Deep Blue assets across the Gulf of Guinea.
According to him, sustaining this achievement requires enhanced tactical air support and closer inter-agency cooperation. He stressed that global shipping traffic is heavily influenced by security considerations, as vessels naturally gravitate toward safer trade corridors.
“With the traffic we have now, we must continue to demonstrate strong security capability through collaboration to protect our trade routes and sustain the progress achieved under the Deep Blue Project,” Mobereola said, expressing optimism that strengthened synergy with the Air Force would significantly reduce response time to maritime threats.
Responding, Air Marshal Aneke assured that the Air Force remains committed to working “step by step and side by side” with NIMASA to achieve shared security objectives.
He disclosed that the partnership would be reinforced not only within the Deep Blue framework but also through the deployment of the Air Force’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, provision of tactical air support, and rapid airborne deployment for interdictions and search-and-rescue missions.
Aneke further advocated for a more structured collaboration model anchored on a joint strategic framework, integrated command structures and a standing steering committee to ensure accountability and coordinated execution.
He also proposed the establishment of a joint maritime domain awareness fusion cell to facilitate real-time intelligence sharing and synchronized surveillance across Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.
While commending NIMASA for providing foundational training to pilots involved in the Deep Blue Project, the Air Chief highlighted operational areas requiring attention, including improved communication between NAF operators and NIMASA, advanced maintenance training, prompt aircraft fueling to avoid mission delays and provision of essential flying kits.
