Nigeria is stepping up efforts to tighten security across the Gulf of Guinea, with the Nigerian Navy pushing for closer cooperation with Denmark as part of a wider international plan to curb maritime threats in the region.
This was made known in a statement released on Tuesday by Abiodun Folorunsho, following a high-level meeting at Naval Headquarters in Abuja.
During a visit by Denmark’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Jen Ole Bach Hansen, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to leading coordinated security efforts across the region.
Stretching from Senegal down to Angola, the Gulf of Guinea remains one of the busiest and most strategically important shipping routes in the world. It plays a vital role in global trade, especially in oil exports, but has long struggled with piracy, sea robbery, and illegal fishing.
Vice Admiral Abbas noted that ties between Nigeria and Denmark have grown stronger in recent years, particularly in maritime security, stressing that keeping the Gulf safe is essential for international commerce.
“The Nigerian Navy is fully committed to maintaining safe waters that support global trade,” he said, adding that partnerships with other nations are crucial in tackling emerging threats.
A key outcome of the meeting was the proposed Combined Maritime Task Force, a joint initiative expected to begin operations by mid-2026. According to Abbas, the task force will bring together partner countries to improve surveillance and coordinate responses to security challenges across the region.
He called on Denmark to play an active role in launching and sustaining the initiative, noting that such collaboration would build on recent progress made in reducing maritime crime.
The naval chief also invited the Danish Navy to take part in the Nigerian Navy’s upcoming International Fleet Review, aimed at strengthening cooperation and operational synergy among global naval forces.
In response, Ambassador Hansen reaffirmed Denmark’s willingness to deepen defence ties with Nigeria under its Africa-focused strategy. He acknowledged the improvements already recorded in the Gulf and expressed support for ongoing efforts to enhance regional stability.
Both sides agreed on the need for continued collaboration to ensure safer seas and protect one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.
