Deep Blue Project Has Transformed Nigeria’s Maritime Security Landscape, Says Federal Gov’t

The federal government has said the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, popularly known as the Deep Blue Project, has transformed the maritime security landscape of the country.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this on Thursday, while speaking at the 2026 graduation ceremony of the advanced combat training programme for the maritime security unit of the Deep Blue Project, held at 5 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Elele, Rivers State.

Oyetola stated that Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters for the past four years, while piracy incidents across the Gulf of Guinea have reduced by over 70 per cent, due to the sustained implementation of the Deep Blue Project.

“The Project was established in 2021 to combat piracy, sea robbery, illegal fishing, oil theft, and other maritime crimes within Nigeria’s territorial waters and across the Gulf of Guinea.

“Since its commissioning, the Deep Blue Project has transformed Nigeria’s maritime security landscape through the deployment of integrated air, land, and sea assets supported by advanced surveillance and rapid response capabilities.

“I am proud to state that, as a result of the sustained implementation of the Deep Blue Project and the strong collaboration among our security agencies, Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters for the past four years, while piracy incidents across the Gulf of Guinea have reduced by over 70%,” he said.

The minister stated that the improved security situation within Nigeria’s maritime domain has also significantly led to growing international recognition and positive reassessment of Nigeria’s maritime risk profile.

Oyetola said: “Significantly, the improved security situation within Nigeria’s maritime domain has also led to growing international recognition and positive reassessment of Nigeria’s maritime risk profile.

“The sustained suppression of piracy and armed robbery at sea has strengthened ongoing efforts toward the delisting of Nigeria from countries classified as war-risk nations by international shipping and insurance stakeholders.”

In his welcome address, director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said 492 personnel across different operational units underwent 33 specialised training programmes.

Mobereola stated that the officers and personnel underwent specialized trainings conducted across several strategic training locations around the world, including Syria, Italy, Swaziland, Australia, and Nigeria.

“Today’s event is a demonstration of operational readiness, institutional resilience, and Nigeria’s determination to maintain a safe, secure, and economically viable maritime environment.

“This occasion also marks the celebration of the successful completion of 33 specialized training programmes engaging 492 personnel across different operational units.

“These officers and personnel have undergone specialized trainings conducted across several strategic training locations around the world, including Syria, Italy, Swaziland, Australia, and Nigeria, thereby exposing our personnel to global best practices and international operational standards in maritime security operations,” the NIMASA boss said.