Nigeria and African naval leaders have called for deeper technological collaboration and strengthened regional partnerships to address growing maritime security challenges across the continent.
This was the central message at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Sea Power for Africa Symposium held in Lagos, where defence and naval chiefs underscored the urgency of leveraging advanced technology to secure Africa’s waters and protect critical sea trade routes.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, in his keynote address, stressed that modern maritime threats have become increasingly transnational and complex, requiring collective action among African navies and international partners.
He noted that maritime trade accounts for nearly 90 per cent of global commerce, making naval forces essential to safeguarding economic stability. According to him, no single nation can effectively confront emerging threats such as piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing, and other maritime crimes on its own.
“As the Blue Economy moves to the forefront of Africa’s developmental agenda, our maritime forces must evolve from traditional coastal defence to active facilitators of economic security. This forum serves as a catalyst for integrating cutting-edge technologies, including unmanned systems, AI-driven surveillance, and enhanced data-sharing networks into our operational architecture.
“The objective is to establish a secure, transparent, and predictable maritime environment that serves as the foundation for collective regional prosperity. To this end, the Nigerian government remains unwavering in its commitment to the recapitalisation and modernisation of the Nigerian Navy.
We recognize that operational success depends on domestic readiness and regional synergy. Consequently, we will continue to prioritise and support the Nigerian Navy’s collaborative frameworks. It is believed that this support is crucial to ensuring that Nigeria remains a dependable partner in the enforcement of good order at sea across the Gulf of Guinea and beyond,” the Minister stated.
Matawalle emphasised that the Sea Power for Africa Symposium aligns with continental strategic frameworks, including the African Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050 and Agenda 2063, particularly in promoting a secure and sustainable blue economy.
He also reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s commitment to the recapitalisation and modernisation of the Nigerian Navy, highlighting the importance of integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and advanced surveillance tools into maritime operations.
“The objective is to build a secure, transparent and predictable maritime environment that supports regional prosperity,” he said, adding that Nigeria would continue to support collaborative security frameworks across the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.
Also speaking, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, described the symposium as a critical platform for strengthening cooperation among navies, coast guards, and maritime stakeholders across Africa and beyond.
He noted that maritime security challenges exceed the capacity of any single nation, making synergy and intelligence sharing essential for an effective response.
“It is a broadly accepted fact that the challenges in the maritime domain exceed the scope and capability of any individual coastal nation. The need for synergy among navies and other law enforcement stakeholders drives the strategic partnership initiative which this forum elicits.
“It is on this premise that our gathering for this event offers us the opportunity to reflect on our shared commitment to the key mandates of the African Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050. This vital Strategy emphasises the sustainable use of our maritime resources, the promotion of maritime safety and security, and the enhancement of maritime governance,” the CNS stated.
Abbas also highlighted the importance of aligning continental maritime efforts with the African Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050 and the African Charter on Maritime Security and Safety.
According to him, while emerging technologies present significant opportunities to improve maritime surveillance and response, they also pose risks if exploited by non-state actors engaged in criminal activities at sea.
“This theme serves as a compass for developing strategies that harness the benefits of technology while mitigating its misuse,” he said.
Both leaders urged participating navies and stakeholders to use the symposium as a platform to deepen collaboration, strengthen operational capabilities, and advance a secure maritime environment that supports Africa’s economic growth.
“Together, we are called to forge pathways that will create safer seas across Africa and decisively curtail the capacity of those who seek to disrupt the order and security of our waters. In this collaborative endeavour, let us commit to the responsible and ethical use of technology, ensuring it serves as a beacon of hope rather than a tool for exploitation,” he stated.
