President Bola Tinubu will officially flag off the African Union (AU) Combined Maritime Task Force as part of renewed efforts to strengthen maritime security across Nigeria and the wider Gulf of Guinea region, the Nigerian Navy has announced.
The initiative is designed to enhance regional collaboration in tackling piracy, illegal fishing, oil theft and other forms of transnational maritime crime across West and Central African waters.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja to mark the commencement of activities for the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the celebrations would feature an international fleet review at the Eko Atlantic Waterfront in Lagos.
“We will be having an international fleet review at the Eko Atlantic Waterfront. This event will be reviewed by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu.
”He will personally conduct the trooping and presentation of colours to the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans at Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Akinola Olodude, the CNS further disclosed that President Tinubu would also commission three newly acquired vessels into the Nigerian Navy during the ceremony.
“President Tinubu will flag off the Combined Maritime Task Force and also commission three vessels into the service of the Nigerian Navy.
”These vessels are Nigerian Naval Ships. After that, it will be followed by an international exhibition at the Eko Atlantic Waterfront,” he added.
Explaining the objective of the task force, Abbas said it was established under the African Union Peace and Security Council, which formally endorsed it on April 23, 2025, as a standing and rapidly deployable maritime force for the Gulf of Guinea.
“It is a multinational approach to combat transnational organised crimes across the 6,000-kilometre expanse of the Gulf of Guinea.
”It is headquartered in Lagos, and the President and Commander-in-Chief will flag off the event to symbolise its operationalisation,” he said.
He noted that participating countries include The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
Vice Admiral Abbas added that more than 39 navies, alongside heads of regional and multilateral institutions and diplomatic representatives, are expected to attend the Navy’s 70th anniversary events in Lagos.
According to him, the anniversary marks a significant milestone in maritime security, regional cooperation and the Navy’s commitment to safeguarding the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.
He said the Nigerian Navy, which began operations with about 250 personnel, has evolved into one of Africa’s most formidable naval forces, boasting a large and expanding fleet.
Abbas also highlighted improvements in indigenous shipbuilding and vessel support capabilities as key achievements over the past seven decades.
He further disclosed that friendly naval vessels from the Republic of Benin, Brazil, Cameroon and Ghana would participate in the celebrations in Lagos waters.
“We will be receiving friendly foreign naval vessels from the Republic of Benin, Brazil, Cameroon and Ghana within the Lagos Harbour.
”Our friendly participants from these countries will join us for various sporting novelty matches, including basketball, volleyball and golf at the Navy Town Dolphin Golf Course,” he said.
“We will welcome our foreign dignitaries through an icebreaker event at Eko Hotel.
”Notably, we will be receiving heads of African navies from 15 countries, heads of African air forces from one country, heads of non-African navies from 10 countries, as well as regional and international military and diplomatic leaders,” he added.
