The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr Dayo Mobereola, has called for deeper operational collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force to strengthen tactical air support for Nigeria’s maritime security architecture.
Mobereola appealed during a strategic visit to the Air Force Headquarters in Abuja, where he met with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, according to a statement issued by NIMASA’s Head of Public Relations, Edward Osagie.
He described the Air Force as a critical partner in sustaining the country’s maritime security gains, particularly under the Federal Government’s Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also known as the Deep Blue Project.
Mobereola noted that tactical air surveillance remains central to maintaining the project’s effectiveness, stressing that Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents in its territorial waters over the past four years — a milestone he attributed largely to the deployment of Deep Blue assets across the Gulf of Guinea.
He emphasised that maritime security is directly linked to international trade, explaining that shipping traffic naturally gravitates toward routes where safety is guaranteed.
“With rising maritime traffic, we must project stronger security through enhanced inter-agency collaboration to sustain investor confidence and trade viability,” he said.
The NIMASA boss expressed optimism that closer operational synergy with the Air Force would significantly reduce response times to maritime threats and improve overall domain awareness.
Responding, Aneke reaffirmed the Air Force’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with NIMASA, saying both institutions must work “step by step and side by side” to achieve shared national security objectives.
He proposed the development of a joint strategic framework, integrated command structures, and the establishment of a standing steering committee to enhance accountability and coordination.
The Air Chief also recommended setting up a joint maritime domain awareness fusion cell to facilitate real-time intelligence sharing and faster response capabilities across Nigeria’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.
According to him, the Air Force can deploy its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, provide tactical air support, and conduct rapid airborne operations for interdiction as well as search-and-rescue missions.
Aneke, however, highlighted operational challenges affecting efficiency, including communication gaps among operators, limited advanced maintenance training, aircraft fuelling delays, and shortages of essential flying kits.
Mobereola assured that NIMASA would address the concerns raised, pledging that renewed inter-agency collaboration would accelerate progress in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain.
NAN
