By Chioma Favour
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to deeper collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to enhance maritime security and safeguard Nigeria’s growing blue economy.
The renewed push for operational synergy followed a courtesy visit by the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja on February 20, 2026.
The engagement focused on consolidating air–maritime cooperation under Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project and strengthening maritime domain security.
Speaking during the visit, Dr Mobereola described maritime security as central to economic stability, international trade and investor confidence. He noted that Nigeria has recorded a sustained period of zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters over the past four years, attributing the development to coordinated efforts among the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies.
According to him, the achievement has improved Nigeria’s global maritime standing and created a safer environment for commerce.
The NIMASA DG, however, stressed that increasing maritime traffic across Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways requires sustained vigilance, enhanced surveillance and rapid response capabilities.
He said closer partnership with the Nigerian Air Force would ensure improved aerial monitoring, intelligence sharing and proactive deterrence needed to protect maritime assets and sustain economic gains.
In his remarks, Air Marshal Aneke assured NIMASA of the Air Force’s readiness to deepen operational cooperation. He outlined the NAF’s maritime-focused capabilities, including long range surveillance aircraft, maritime patrol platforms, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and rapid-response air assets deployable across coastal corridors.
The CAS explained that these assets provide real-time situational awareness and coordinated response options vital for securing sea lines of communication and critical offshore infrastructure.
He further noted that the integration of advanced sensors, data-link systems and inter-agency communication frameworks enhances seamless information flow and operational coordination.
According to him, air power remains a significant force multiplier in maritime security operations, offering speed, flexibility and extended reach in support of the Deep Blue Project.
The renewed collaboration between NIMASA and the Nigerian Air Force underscores ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and protect the nation’s waterways as a foundation for sustainable economic development.
