A United States congressional delegation has paid a high level courtesy visit to the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, at the Command Headquarters in Lagos, reinforcing growing bilateral cooperation on maritime security.
The delegation, led by Adam Barker, was received by the FOC who outlined the strategic importance of the Western Naval Command in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and protecting critical economic assets.
Mustapha highlighted the operational significance of the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability, describing it as a central platform for real time surveillance, intelligence sharing and coordinated responses to threats across Nigeria’s waters and the wider Gulf of Guinea.
He explained that the system has strengthened the Nigerian Navy’s capacity to detect and respond swiftly to criminal activities including piracy, sea robbery, crude oil theft and other forms of maritime crime.
According to him, improved maritime domain awareness has translated into safer shipping lanes, enhanced trade security and increased confidence among international maritime stakeholders operating within the region.
The naval commander stressed that sustained international collaboration remains vital to consolidating these gains, noting that partnerships with the United States continue to support capacity building, technical expertise and intelligence exchange.
He added that the visit provided an opportunity to review the state of Nigeria United States relations, particularly in the area of maritime security cooperation and joint efforts to curb transnational crimes at sea.
During the engagement, the delegation was taken on a guided tour of the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability complex, where a comprehensive briefing on its operations and impact was delivered.
In his remarks, Barker commended the Nigerian Navy for its proactive posture in tackling maritime insecurity and reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to deepening cooperation in maritime surveillance and regional stability.
The visit featured an interactive session between both parties, culminating in the exchange of souvenirs and a group photograph, marking another milestone in the strengthening of strategic defence relations between Nigeria and the United States.