The European Union, in partnership with the Government of Portugal, has donated two 8.9-metre rigid-hull inflatable boats and maritime crime investigation equipment to the Nigerian Navy to strengthen operations against piracy and other crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
The equipment was formally handed over on Tuesday during a ceremony at the Joint Maritime Security Training Centre, Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos.
This was done under the Support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Security project; an EU-backed initiative implemented by Portugal to improve maritime security across the 12 ECOWAS member states.
Representing the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm Idi Abbas, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, said the new assets would strengthen the Navy’s surveillance, response and law enforcement capabilities.
“Nigeria was removed from the International Maritime Bureau’s list of piracy-prone countries in 2021 through the Nigerian Navy’s sustained maritime presence, surveillance, rapid response capability and law enforcement efforts,” Mustapha said, adding that the donated boats and forensic equipment would serve as force multipliers.
“The intersection of our initiatives with those of the European Union will improve the security of the Gulf of Guinea and help sustain Nigeria’s gains in maritime security, and the donated boats and forensic equipment would serve as force multipliers,” he added.
Mustapha noted the Navy already operated more than 300 similar patrol boats but said the new vessels would reinforce existing capabilities.
He disclosed that 28 personnel underwent specialised training under the programme, covering boat handling, operations, maintenance and maritime crime investigation, for two weeks.
He further said, “The forensic equipment would deepen collaboration with the police, Customs, Immigration and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on building integrated crime databases.”
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, described the donation as part of the bloc’s long-term commitment to maritime security in West Africa.
He said the SWAIMS project, worth €15m, is largely funded by the EU and co-funded and implemented by Portugal, benefiting all 12 ECOWAS member states through training, equipment and technical support aimed at improving interoperability among regional maritime agencies.
“The security of the Gulf of Guinea is also key for the security of the European Union, and Nigeria is a cornerstone because of its strategic location and its extensive maritime capabilities.”
On sustainability, Mignot said the partnership included long-term maintenance support and technical assistance to keep the boats operational throughout their service life.
Giving his remark at the ceremony, Portugal’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Paulo Santos, described the Gulf of Guinea as strategically important to both regional and global commerce, hence the need for this sustained cooperation.
He said the initiative is Portugal’s support for maritime training, surveillance, search-and-rescue, and joint naval exercises involving the Portuguese Navy
officials at the ceremony described the arrangement as a continuation of naval cooperation between Nigeria and Portugal built through the SWAIMS partnership.
Attendees included the commander of the Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea, Commodore M.S. Shettim; and Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria Pieter Leenknegt, underscoring the international interest in securing the corridor.
Nigerian naval authorities said the new assets would improve operational readiness while deepening cooperation between Nigeria, the EU, Portugal and other ECOWAS member states in safeguarding the region’s waters.
By: Enoch Oluwaleke
