The Federal Government yesterday called for resilient partnerships among African navies to enhance collective capabilities and ensure the security of African continent.

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammed Matawalle made the call at the opening ceremony of the  2026 Sea Power For Africa symposium holding at the Eko Conventional Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The  symposium themed:  ‘Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Maritime Security in Africa”,  is part of ongoing 70th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.

Matawalle, in his keynote address,  noted that navies are an indispensable aspect of the global economy.
This, he said , underpin the security, stability, and freedom of movement essential for maritime trade, which constitutes approximately 90 per cent of all world trade by volume.

According to him, by safeguarding critical sea lines of communication and preventing disruptions to trade, naval forces serve as steadfast guardians of international commerce and economic stability.

The minister stated that in light of the immense responsibilities they bear, navies are continually evolving and repositioning themselves to address the complexities of an ever-changing security landscape in our shared maritime domain.

He stressed that the transnational and interconnected nature of maritime threats presents formidable challenge which often transcends the capacity of individual nations or navies to address independently.

According to him, “It is therefore imperative to recognise the significance of collaborative initiatives among African navies and beyond.

” By fostering resilient partnerships aimed at enhancing collective capabilities, we can forge a credible maritime defense framework that ensures the security of our continent. “Pertinently, the Sea Power for Africa Symposium translates the high-level goals of the Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050 such as, “preventing hostile and criminal acts at sea into actual naval objectives.

“This strategic alignment not only promises to fortify our defenses, but also underscores the philosophical understanding that true maritime security is a shared responsibility, demanding concerted efforts and unified resolve,” he added.

In his address, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas stressed the need for synergy among navies and other law enforcement stakeholders.

He called for collaboration among other African navies to forge pathways that will create safer seas across Africa and decisively curtail the capacity of those who seek to disrupt the order and security of our waters.

He noted that the ceremony of the 2026 Sea Power for Africa Symposium, held biennially on African continent, brings together heads of navies, coast guards, and policy makers alongside maritime security stakeholders from across the globe, fostering vital dialogue on the myriad challenges that shape our maritime landscape.

According to him, since its inception in 2004, this Symposium has catalysed significant advancements in enhancing maritime security within Africa, creating a safer environment that not only protects our waters but also propels the flourishing of our blue economy.

Describing the theme for this year’s symposium is ‘Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Maritime Security in Africa’, as both timely and profoundly relevant, the Chief of Naval Staff, noted that unprecedented advancements in technology, presented both an opportunity and a challenge for humanity.

“These innovations have the potential to significantly contribute to human development and can be strategically utilised to strengthen maritime security. However, we must also recognise that, like any powerful instrument, advanced technologies can be subverted by non-state actors, who may exploit them for illegal purposes and criminal enterprises, even within our maritime domains,” he added.