By Tunde Ojudun
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has called for deeper collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to enhance tactical air support under the Deep Blue Project.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal S.K. Aneke, at NAF Headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Mobereola highlighted the Air Force’s role as a strategic partner in sustaining Nigeria’s maritime security achievements.
“Nigeria is the only African country with a record of zero piracy in the last four years. The Deep Blue Project platforms have been instrumental in achieving this milestone, and we need the Air Force’s support to sustain the momentum,” he stated.
He emphasized that secure waters are critical for international trade, noting that vessels prefer routes where safety is guaranteed. Strengthened collaboration, he said, would bolster Nigeria’s trade viability and reduce response times to maritime threats.
Air Marshal Aneke, in response, pledged the Air Force’s full support:
“We are ready to stand side by side with NIMASA to achieve the desired results.”
He proposed a joint strategic framework, integrated command structures, and a maritime domain awareness fusion cell to enable real-time intelligence sharing, synchronized surveillance, and faster responses. He also assured that the Air Force could provide additional ISR platforms, tactical air support, and rapid airborne deployment for interdictions and search-and-rescue missions.
While commending NIMASA for training Air Force pilots under the Deep Blue Project, Aneke identified operational challenges requiring attention, including improved communication channels, advanced maintenance training, reliable aircraft fueling, and provision of flying kits.
He concluded by assuring that collaboration would now move “at thrice its speed,” reinforcing the shared commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.