Nigerian Navy Seeks Danish Backing for Multinational Maritime Security Force in Gulf of Guinea
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Navy has intensified efforts to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, positioning a proposed Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF) as a critical multinational initiative while seeking robust collaboration from Denmark.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, made this known during a meeting with Jen Ole Bach Hansen at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.
He emphasized Nigeria’s leadership role in fostering a coordinated regional security framework to combat maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea—one of the world’s most strategic shipping corridors. According to him, the growing partnership between Nigeria and Denmark has become increasingly significant, particularly in the maritime sector.
Vice Admiral Abbas noted that Denmark, as a major maritime nation, depends heavily on the Gulf of Guinea for international shipping routes. He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to ensuring a safe and secure maritime environment to support global trade and economic stability.
At the heart of the discussions was the planned Combined Maritime Task Force, expected to begin operations by mid-2026. The naval chief described the initiative as a coalition of like-minded countries aimed at boosting maritime domain awareness, enhancing joint response capabilities, and consolidating recent gains against piracy and other maritime crimes.
He called for Denmark’s support in both the operationalisation and long-term sustainability of the task force, stressing that multinational collaboration remains key to addressing evolving security challenges in the region.
As part of efforts to deepen naval cooperation, the CNS also invited the Danish Navy to participate in the Nigerian Navy’s forthcoming International Fleet Review, an event expected to showcase naval capabilities and strengthen interoperability among partner nations.
In his response, Ambassador Hansen reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to expanding its partnership with Nigeria under its Africa Strategy. He noted that bilateral relations between both countries have recorded significant progress since 2024, particularly in maritime security cooperation.
The envoy commended Nigeria’s recent strides in improving security within the Gulf of Guinea and expressed Denmark’s readiness to further support initiatives that promote collective security in the region.
Both sides concluded the meeting with a renewed commitment to strengthening strategic ties aimed at ensuring a safer and more stable maritime domain in the Gulf of Guinea.
