Nigeria on Tuesday rallied African naval chiefs, maritime experts and global security stakeholders in Lagos to deepen collaboration against rising maritime threats, as the federal government declared technology and regional partnerships critical to securing the continent’s waters and unlocking its blue economy potential.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Sea Power for Africa Symposium held at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, said African nations must embrace innovation to strengthen maritime security architecture across the continent.
The minister described the symposium as timely, noting that Africa’s maritime domain was facing increasingly complex threats that transcend the capacity of individual nations to tackle alone.
He commended the Nigerian Navy for attaining its 70th anniversary, describing the service as a formidable force that has remained steadfast in protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and maritime interests.
Matawalle also praised the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for sustaining efforts aimed at strengthening regional maritime cooperation and operational readiness.
According to him, navies remain indispensable to global economic stability because maritime trade accounts for nearly 90 per cent of world trade by volume.
He stressed that safeguarding sea lines of communication was essential to preventing disruptions capable of undermining international commerce and economic growth.
The minister noted that the interconnected nature of piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing and other maritime crimes demands stronger collaboration among African navies and security agencies.
He said the symposium aligns with the objectives of the Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050, particularly efforts aimed at preventing hostile and criminal acts at sea.
Matawalle explained that the gathering was designed to provide stakeholders with a platform to explore ways of deploying emerging technologies to improve maritime security operations across Africa.
He identified artificial intelligence driven surveillance systems, unmanned platforms and enhanced data sharing networks as critical tools for modern maritime security operations.
According to him, Africa’s growing blue economy requires maritime forces that can move beyond conventional coastal defence roles to become active facilitators of economic security and regional prosperity.
The minister reiterated the federal government’s commitment to the recapitalisation and modernisation of the Nigerian Navy to strengthen operational effectiveness in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.
He assured participating nations that Nigeria would continue supporting collaborative maritime frameworks capable of promoting stability and good order at sea.
Matawalle further urged stakeholders at the symposium to use the forum to build stronger international partnerships capable of guaranteeing sustainable maritime security across Africa.
Declaring the symposium officially open, he encouraged foreign delegates to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria while experiencing the country’s cultural diversity and hospitality.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, described the symposium as one of Africa’s leading maritime security platforms since its inception in 2004.
He noted that the biennial gathering has continued to bring together naval leaders, coast guards, policy makers and maritime stakeholders from around the world to address pressing maritime challenges.
Abbas stated that no single coastal nation possesses the capacity to independently tackle the growing threats confronting the maritime environment.
According to him, the need for synergy among navies and maritime law enforcement agencies remains central to achieving the objectives of the African Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050.
The naval chief said the symposium’s 2026 theme, “Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Maritime Security in Africa,” reflects the realities of a rapidly evolving technological era.
He warned that while emerging technologies present enormous opportunities for development and maritime safety, they could also be exploited by criminal networks and non state actors.
Abbas stressed the need for African countries to collectively develop responsible and ethical frameworks for deploying technology in maritime operations.
He expressed confidence that deliberations at the symposium would generate practical ideas and action plans capable of strengthening collective efforts to secure Africa’s maritime domain and boost regional prosperity.