Nigeria has pledged full infrastructural and operational backing for the Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea, committing to provide office buildings, naval vessels, helicopters and temporary personnel as host of the force’s headquarters.
.The commitment was announced at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, said Nigeria’s offer reflects its broader continental responsibility and determination to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. He noted that, as host nation, Nigeria would ensure the task force remains effective in combating transnational organised crimes and piracy across the region.
Beyond the material support, Nigeria used the summit platform to advocate stronger African-led responses to interconnected challenges, including security threats, sovereign debt pressures and the exploitation of critical minerals. The Gulf of Guinea, a key corridor for global energy supplies and trade, has long been a hotspot for maritime crime, making coordinated regional action imperative.
Shettima also welcomed progress on the African Standby Force and urged accelerated implementation of agreements between the AU Commission and Regional Economic Communities. He further called for deeper institutional reforms, including advancing the activation of the African Court of Justice and intensifying advocacy for the ratification of the African Parliament protocol.
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