The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dayo Mobereola, has announced that Nigeria has recorded four consecutive years without piracy attacks in its territorial waters.
Mobereola described the development as a major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector, noting that improved security has helped restore global confidence in the country’s shipping and marine environment.
NIMASA Lauds Four Years Without Piracy Attacks Achievement
The four years without piracy attacks announcement by NIMASA came during a maritime security event linked to the Deep Blue Project, the Federal Government’s integrated maritime security initiative.
According to Mobereola, the sustained absence of piracy incidents has significantly reduced war-risk insurance premiums imposed on vessels operating within Nigerian waters.
He explained that the achievement reflects years of coordinated security operations involving NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy, and other maritime agencies.
Deep Blue Project Credited For Security Gains
Mobereola credited the success largely to the Deep Blue Project, which was launched to strengthen surveillance, enforcement, and rapid response capabilities across Nigeria’s waterways.
The initiative combines air, sea, and land security assets with intelligence-sharing systems designed to combat piracy, sea robbery, and other maritime crimes.
The NIMASA boss said the project has transformed Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and improved operational efficiency within the Gulf of Guinea.
Nigeria’s Maritime Reputation Improves
The record has also improved Nigeria’s international maritime standing.
Mobereola noted that the country’s improved security profile contributed to Nigeria’s recent election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) after years outside the category.
Industry stakeholders believe the development could attract increased shipping activity, foreign investment, and stronger confidence among global maritime operators.
Government Pushes For War-Risk Delisting
Federal authorities are now pushing for Nigeria’s removal from the international war-risk classification list used by global insurers.
Officials argue that the country’s piracy-free record demonstrates substantial improvement in maritime safety conditions across Nigerian waters.
Experts say successful delisting could lower shipping costs, reduce insurance burdens on cargo operators, and strengthen Nigeria’s blue economy ambitions.
Security Personnel Receive Advanced Training
As part of efforts to sustain the gains, the Federal Government recently graduated hundreds of maritime security personnel under the Deep Blue Project.
The trained officers are expected to support surveillance operations, emergency response, and anti-piracy enforcement across strategic maritime corridors.
Mobereola stressed that continuous capacity development remains critical to preventing future threats within the maritime domain.
FG Plans Expansion of Deep Blue Project
The government has also announced plans to expand the Deep Blue Project to additional coastal and vulnerable maritime areas, including the Bakassi axis and other high-risk corridors.
Officials believe the expansion will strengthen regional maritime security and help consolidate the progress already achieved in Nigerian territorial waters.
According to maritime authorities, the Gulf of Guinea previously ranked among the world’s most dangerous shipping routes before recent security improvements.
Regional Cooperation Still Important
Despite Nigeria’s piracy-free streak, maritime authorities continue to emphasise regional cooperation across the Gulf of Guinea.
NIMASA recently clarified that a piracy incident reported in 2025 occurred outside Nigerian waters near São Tomé and Príncipe, while reaffirming continued collaboration with regional security agencies.
Experts say coordinated intelligence-sharing and multinational security partnerships remain essential for sustaining long-term maritime stability in West Africa.
Conclusion
This milestone marks a significant achievement for the country’s maritime security sector.
With piracy incidents declining and confidence gradually returning to Nigerian waters, authorities now aim to consolidate the gains through expanded surveillance, regional cooperation, and continued investment in maritime security infrastructure.
