A visiting United States (U.S.) Congressional Delegation (CODEL) has met with the Nigerian Navy as part of the ways of fostering stronger international maritime security cooperation especially in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).
The U.S. Congressional Delegation (CODEL), led by Mr Adam Barker, was received by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, at the Western Naval Command (WNC) Headquarters in Lagos.
During the engagement, Rear Admiral Mustapha underscored the Command’s critical role in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and supporting security initiatives in the Gulf of Guinea.
He explained the significance of the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) as a strategic asset for enhancing maritime domain awareness through real-time monitoring, information sharing and coordinated operational responses, adding that “RMAC has greatly enhanced the Nigerian Navy’s capacity to combat sea robbery, crude oil theft, and other illegal maritime activities, thereby making maritime trade routes safer and more secure.”
According to a statement by Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Admiral Mustapha stated that “the RMAC played a key role in the defeat of piracy in Nigerian waters in 2022, leading the International Maritime Bureau to remove Nigeria from its piracy list.”
He emphasised that sustained collaboration with international partners, particularly the United States, remains critical to advancing maritime security objectives, adding that such engagements provide opportunities for capacity building, technical support, and intelligence exchange necessary to address evolving maritime threats within the region.
As part of the visit, the delegation toured the RMAC Complex and received a comprehensive operational brief on its capabilities and contributions to regional maritime security.
In his remarks, the Head of Delegation, Mr Adam Barker, commended the Nigerian Navy’s proactive approach to maritime security and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to continued cooperation, particularly in strengthening maritime awareness and enhancing collective security frameworks in the Gulf of Guinea.
The engagement also provided a platform for both sides to exchange perspectives on emerging maritime threats and identify practical areas for deeper operational collaboration.
