Yemisi Izuora
Top Nigerian Navy Officers led by the Nigerian Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, were in South Africa to discuss growing concerns over non-traditional threats, such as piracy, illegal fishing and other maritime crimes.
The CNS, was accompanied by Rear Admiral Noel Musa Madugu the Naval Director of Administration, and joined by Commodore Chikaji Aminu Isah the Defence Attache to South Africa, along with Heads of Navies across the African continent to join others under the auspices of the 5th Sea Power for Africa Symposium (SPAS) to discuss strategies for safeguarding Africa’s expansive and resource wealth maritime domain.
The Symposium, themed “Good Order at Sea in the African Maritime Domain”, highlighted the vital role of maritime security in unlocking Africa’s economic potential, from Tuesday 15 to Thursday 17 October 2024.
In his keynote address the Nigerian Naval Chief, outlined the vast resources within Africa’s maritime domain, underscoring its potential to generate over USD 405 billion by 2030, including USD 100 million by coastal tourism, with the capacity to create over 57 million jobs across the continent.
The sustainable management of these resources is crucial, as they are key drivers of economic growth and food security.
He emphasised that Africa’s maritime future is guided by the African Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS), which aims to foster wealth creation by developing an ocean economy within a secured maritime domain.
This vision is further supported by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which is projected to increase intra-African freight by 28 per cent and demand for maritime transport by 62 per cent.
He also noted that with a significant portion of global trade passing through African waters, maritime activities contribute more than 20 per cent of national revenues for some African countries.
However, the richness of these waters and the intense economic activities within them expose our maritime domain to a range of non-traditional threats, posing significant challenges to regional stability.
Ogalla, pointed out that addressing these challenges requires a united effort, urging African navies and coast guards to strengthen security architecture across the continent.
He said Nigeria is a key player in the fight against maritime crime with an extensive maritime domain that includes the Gulf of Guinea, with the Nigerian Navy implementation of a Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy, incorporating a “Trinity-of-Action” approach that combines surveillance, rapid response and law enforcement which has removed Nigeria from the list of piracy-prone countries in March 2022, a status the country has maintained.
The CNS, highlighted the border incentives for maritime security cooperation, nothing that securing African waters would facilitate increased trade, attract tourism and foster economic growth and prosperity.
From an environmental perspective, he said African navies must take decisive action to prevent oil spills, reduce waste dumping, and ensure sustainable fisheries management to secure long-term food security. Ultimately, the security of our maritime borders is essential for regional stability and the achievement of our national objectives.
The 5th Seapower Symposium for Africa opened new frontiers for effective protection and use of the sea via collective agenda by African states and Nigeria’s participation was highly significant.