Government to broaden Deep Blue Project into Nigeria’s vulnerable maritime corridors

By Efe Onodjae 

The Federal Government has announced plans to extend the Deep Blue Project to vulnerable coastal and maritime corridors across Nigeria, including the Bakassi axis, as part of a broader effort to reinforce the country’s maritime security framework.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola revealed the expansion during the graduation ceremony of 492 Advanced Combat Personnel and Capability Presentation of the Deep Blue Project Task Group. The event took place at the 5 Battalion Army Barracks in Elele, Rivers State, on Thursday.

Oyetola said the expansion would target critical coastal areas such as the Bakassi Peninsula, Igbokoda, and other vulnerable maritime corridors.

He explained that the initiative aims to consolidate gains already achieved under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also known as the Deep Blue Project.

“Building on the significant strides already made, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is currently evaluating strategic frameworks for the expansion of the Deep Blue Project to further strengthen our maritime security architecture in critical coastal areas such as Igbokoda, Bakassi and other vulnerable maritime corridors,” he said.

The minister added that the move would help curb maritime insecurity, enhance operational capacity, improve maintenance systems, and ensure that maritime security assets remain effective in safeguarding Nigeria’s waters.

He noted that Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters in the last four years, attributing this success to the sustained implementation of the Deep Blue Project and collaboration among security agencies. Piracy incidents across the Gulf of Guinea have also declined by more than 70 per cent during the same period.

Oyetola recalled that before the establishment of the Deep Blue Project in 2021, the Gulf of Guinea was regarded as one of the most dangerous maritime corridors worldwide, accounting for about 45 per cent of reported global piracy incidents and over 90 per cent of crew kidnappings at sea during peak periods.

He said the project has transformed Nigeria’s maritime security framework through the deployment of integrated air, land and sea assets supported by advanced surveillance systems and rapid response capabilities.

The minister linked the project’s achievements to the Federal Government’s broader economic agenda under President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing that maritime security remains critical to economic growth, trade facilitation and investment promotion.

He urged the graduating personnel to uphold professionalism, patriotism, teamwork and respect for the rule of law in the discharge of their duties.

Oyetola also praised the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Armed Forces, security agencies and training partners for their contributions to the initiative’s success.

Earlier, NIMASA Director‑General Dayo Mobereola described the event as a demonstration of Nigeria’s operational readiness, institutional resilience and determination to maintain a safe, secure and economically viable maritime environment.

Mobereola said the graduating officers completed 33 specialised training programmes covering multiple operational units within the Deep Blue architecture.

The graduates comprised 232 Maritime Security Unit operatives, 19 armoured vehicle drivers, 13 armoured vehicle mechanics, eight special mission helicopter pilots, eight helicopter technicians, five special mission aircraft pilots, six aircraft technicians, 49 special mission vessel crew members, 28 interceptor boat mechanics, 62 interceptor boat drivers, 52 Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence (C4I) operators, and 10 Vertical Take‑Off and Landing Unmanned Aerial Systems operators.

He added that the personnel underwent advanced security and operational training in countries including Syria, Italy, Swaziland, Australia and Nigeria.

The NIMASA boss also listed operational assets of the Deep Blue Project, which include two special mission aircraft fitted with maritime surveillance sensors, two special mission helicopters, two special mission vessels, eight unmanned aerial vehicles, 16 fast interceptor boats and 15 armoured coastal patrol vehicles.

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