AU Commissioner Hails Nigerian Navy, Proposes Pan-African Naval Exercise
The African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AU CPAPS), Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, has commended the Nigerian Navy for its leadership in maritime security while proposing stronger continental naval cooperation across Africa.
Ambassador Adeoye made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja on 5 February 2026.
During the visit, the AU Commissioner congratulated Vice Admiral Abbas on the Nigerian Navy’s achievements in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain, particularly its sustained success in preventing piracy attacks since 2022, which led to Nigeria’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy List.
He also praised the Navy’s role in combating transnational maritime crimes through collaboration with regional and international navies in the Gulf of Guinea, noting that such efforts are critical as Africa advances the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to integrate 55 economies into the world’s largest free trade zone.
Ambassador Adeoye proposed the organisation of a pan-African naval exercise in 2027 to strengthen cooperation among African navies, urging the Nigerian Navy to maintain its leadership role. He referenced the recent Global Firepower report, which ranked Nigeria as having the strongest naval fleet in Africa.
The AU Commissioner requested the support of the Chief of the Naval Staff for the African Union’s plan to host the continent-wide naval exercise, which would also involve partner navies from outside Africa.
He further encouraged the Nigerian Navy to consider organising a regional naval exercise involving navies from ECOWAS Maritime Zone E and other willing participants. According to him, such an exercise could serve as a template for future maritime cooperation across the continent and strengthen efforts to combat transnational maritime crimes.
Ambassador Adeoye emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration, describing the Nigerian Navy’s leadership in the Gulf of Guinea as a model for enduring maritime security operations across Africa.
In his response, Vice Admiral Abbas welcomed the AU Commissioner and commended the African Union for its continued commitment to peace, security and stability on the continent.
He noted that the Nigerian Navy would review the proposal for a regional naval exercise involving ECOWAS Maritime Zone E navies under the framework of the Combined Maritime Task Force, while reaffirming the Navy’s resolve to keep Nigeria’s maritime domain free of criminal and illicit activities.
