The Nigerian Navy is strengthening its strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates to boost maritime security and protect vital trade routes in the Gulf of Guinea.
Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas reaffirmed this commitment during a meeting with UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Saylem Saeed Alshamsi, the Navy said in a statement Monday.
The two sides discussed enhanced maritime domain awareness, shipbuilding cooperation, naval technology transfer, and joint operations against piracy, crude oil theft, sea robbery and other transnational threats.
Ambassador Alshamsi praised the Nigerian Navy’s recent operational successes, particularly Operation DELTA SENTINEL, which recently resulted in the seizure of a large cache of stolen crude oil and petroleum products.
“The sustained operational successes of the Nigerian Navy in securing regional waters and protecting critical maritime infrastructure are commendable,” Alshamsi said.
He stressed that growing trade between Nigeria and international partners makes a secure Gulf of Guinea essential for uninterrupted maritime commerce and regional economic stability.
Vice Admiral Abbas highlighted the ongoing construction of NNS KADA in Sharjah, UAE, as a key symbol of the deepening bilateral ties.
“We look forward to deeper cooperation in naval technology transfer to deepen indigenous shipbuilding capabilities, enhance fleet readiness and ensure maritime security across the Gulf of Guinea,” Abbas said.
The partnership aims to deliver tangible results in fleet modernization and sustained security of Nigeria’s territorial waters and the wider Gulf of Guinea region.
The meeting comes as Nigeria continues to battle oil theft and piracy that have threatened shipping and revenue in the oil-rich region.
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