The Federal Government has announced plans to expand the Deep Blue Sea project to vulnerable coastal and maritime corridors across the country.
The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime security framework.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed these plans, at the weekend during the 2026 graduation ceremony for 492 advanced combat personnel and the capability presentation of the Deep Blue Sea Project Task Group, at the Fifth Battalion Army Barracks, in Elele, Rivers State.
Oyetola explained that the planned expansion will focus on critical coastal areas such as Igbokoda, the Bakassi Peninsula and other vulnerable maritime corridors.
The initiative aims to build on the successes already achieved under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, commonly referred to as the Deep Blue Project.
He said, “Building on the significant strides we have 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 like Igbokoda, Bakassi, and other vulnerable maritime corridors.”
He emphasised that the expansion will help reduce maritime insecurity, enhance operational capacity, improve maintenance systems and ensure that maritime security assets remain fully functional and effective in safeguarding Nigeria’s waters.
The minister noted that Nigeria recorded zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters over the past four years, due to the ongoing implementation of the Deep Blue Project and collaboration among security agencies.
He also reported that piracy across the Gulf of Guinea has declined by more than 70 percent during the same period.
Before the establishment of the Deep Blue Project in 2021, the Gulf of Guinea had become one of the most dangerous maritime corridors globally, accounting for nearly 45 percent of reported global piracy incidents and over 90 percent of crew kidnappings at sea during peak periods.
Oyetola highlighted that the project has significantly transformed the maritime security framework through the deployment of integrated air, land and sea assets supported by advanced surveillance systems and rapid response capabilities.
He linked the successes of the project to the government’s broader economic agenda under President Bola Tinubu, emphasising that maritime security is critical for economic growth, trade facilitation, investment promotion and national development.
He urged the graduating personnel to uphold professionalism, patriotism, teamwork and respect for the rule of law in their duties.
The minister also commended 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, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the NIMASA Director-General, described the event as a significant demonstration of Nigeria’s operational readiness, institutional resilience and determination to maintain a safe, secure and economically viable maritime environment.
He noted that the graduating officers completed 33 specialised training programs covering multiple operational units within the Deep Blue Project framework.
The graduates included 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.
Dr. Mobereola explained that the personnel underwent advanced security and operational training in several countries, including Syria, Italy, Swaziland, Australia and Nigeria, gaining exposure to global best practices in maritime security operations.
The operational assets of the Deep Blue Project include two special mission aircraft equipped with maritime surveillance sensors, two special mission helicopters for overseas operations, two special mission vessels for deep-sea operations, eight unmanned aerial vehicles for real-time intelligence gathering, 16 fast interceptor boats and 15 armoured coastal patrol vehicles.
The NIMASA DG expressed gratitude to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy for providing strategic leadership and support for maritime security reforms.
The event was attended by representatives of the Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, and service chiefs, all of whom delivered goodwill messages.
Highlights of the ceremony included the commissioning of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV
Source: tribuneonlineng.com