The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall S. K. Aneke (left) presenting a souvenir to the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola (left) during a courtesy visit by the NIMASA Director General to the Nigerian Air Force Head quarters in Abuja.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have strengthened their partnership to enhance maritime security and sustain the achievements of the Deep Blue Project.
The renewed commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the Director General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, to the Chief of Air Staff, S. K. Aneke, at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
This was disclosed in a press release issued by the Deputy Director/Head of Public Relations, Osagie Edward, on February 22, 2026.
Mobereola emphasised the strategic role of the Air Force in providing tactical air surveillance under the Deep Blue Project, describing it as critical to maintaining Nigeria’s maritime safety record. He noted that Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents in the past four years, attributing the success to the coordinated deployment of Deep Blue assets.
He explained that sustaining this milestone requires stronger inter-agency cooperation, particularly in the area of air support and rapid response capabilities. According to him, maritime security remains directly linked to international trade and investor confidence.
The NIMASA DG also stressed that vessels are more likely to transit through countries with proven security architecture, adding that enhanced collaboration will project stronger security presence along Nigeria’s maritime corridor and improve trade competitiveness.
In response, Air Marshal Aneke reaffirmed the Air Force’s readiness to work closely with NIMASA, assuring that the service would match the Agency’s efforts step by step to achieve shared security objectives.
He proposed the development of a joint strategic framework, integrated command structures, and the establishment of a standing steering committee to improve coordination. He also recommended the creation of a maritime domain awareness fusion cell to enable real time intelligence sharing and faster response to threats within Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.
Aneke further identified areas requiring operational improvements, including enhanced communication between operators, advanced maintenance training, better aircraft fueling logistics, and provision of flying kits.
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