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By Philip Nwosu
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s leadership in promoting a coordinated multilateral maritime security framework in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) while seeking strategic support from Denmark.
Admiral Abbas made the call during a meeting with the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jen Ole Bach Hansen, where the discussion was centred on the planned Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF), expected to commence operations in mid-2026.
The CNS described the initiative as a coalition of like-minded nations aimed at boosting maritime domain awareness, enhancing collective response capability and consolidating gains made in combating maritime threats across the region.
A statement from the naval spokesman, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the CNS emphasised the need for Danish support in the operationalisation and long-term sustainability of the task force, noting that such collaboration would strengthen ongoing efforts to secure the Gulf of Guinea.
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Abbas also highlighted the growing defence ties between Nigeria and Denmark, particularly in the maritime sector. He noted that Denmark relies significantly on the Gulf of Guinea for international shipping, stressing Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining a safe and secure maritime environment for global trade.
As part of efforts to deepen naval cooperation, the CNS invited the Danish Navy to participate in the Nigerian Navy’s forthcoming International Fleet Review.
In his response, Ambassador Hansen reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Nigeria under its Africa Strategy. He noted that bilateral relations between the two countries have improved significantly since 2024.
The envoy commended Nigeria’s progress in enhancing maritime security and expressed Denmark’s interest in expanding cooperation to support collective security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration aimed at ensuring a stable and secure maritime domain in the region.
