Nigeria eyes lower shipping costs after piracy decline

The Federal Government has said the country has recorded zero piracy incidents in its territorial waters in four consecutive years.

Consequently, the government said it is now pushing for the country’s removal from the global war-risk list, a development expected to slash shipping costs and boost investor confidence in the maritime sector.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this during the 2026 graduation ceremony and capability presentation of the Deep Blue Project Task Group held at the 5th Battalion Army Barracks, Elele, Rivers State, on Thursday.

Oyetola said the Deep Blue Project, launched in 2021 to tackle piracy, oil theft, illegal fishing and sea robbery, had “transformed Nigeria’s maritime security landscape” through integrated air, land and sea surveillance systems.

“Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters for the past four years, while piracy incidents across the Gulf of Guinea have reduced by over 70 per cent,” the minister stated.

He added that the improved security situation had “strengthened ongoing efforts toward the delisting of Nigeria from countries classified as war-risk nations by international shipping and insurance stakeholders.”

According to him, the expected removal of war-risk insurance premiums on Nigerian-bound cargo would “reduce the cost of shipping, lower importation expenses, enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian ports, and stimulate greater trade and investment within the maritime sector and the wider economy.”

Oyetola further revealed that the Federal Government was considering expanding the Deep Blue Project to vulnerable coastal corridors, including Igbokoda and Bakassi, to consolidate recent gains in maritime security.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dayo Mobereola, said 492 personnel graduated after completing 33 specialised training programmes conducted in Nigeria and abroad.

The graduating officers included maritime security operatives, special mission helicopter pilots, interceptor boat drivers, C4I operators and unmanned aerial systems personnel trained in countries such as Italy, Australia, Syria and Swaziland.

Mobereola said the Deep Blue architecture currently comprises “two Special Mission Aircraft equipped with advanced maritime surveillance sensors, two Special Mission Helicopters, two Special Mission Vessels, eight Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, 16 fast interceptor boats and 15 armoured coastal patrol vehicles.”

He added, “As many of you may recall, the Gulf of Guinea was once regarded as one of the most challenging maritime regions in the world due to incidents of piracy and sea robbery.

“Today, through the Deep Blue Project and the collective efforts of all stakeholders, Nigeria has transformed the narrative.”

Representing the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede, his Senior Adviser, Musa Likita, described the achievements of the Deep Blue Project as remarkable and deserving of national recognition.

“The elimination of incidents in Nigerian waters, the reduction in war-risk insurance premiums, and the growing confidence of the international maritime community in Nigeria are not accidental outcomes.

“They are the direct result of strategic planning, sustained investment, inter-agency cooperation, and the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government to securing our maritime domain,” Likita said.

Also speaking, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by the Commander, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, charged the graduating operatives to remain disciplined and professional in the discharge of their duties.

“Your graduation has come at a time when the Navy and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria require your skills to contain maritime security challenges,” he said.

The Deep Blue Project was introduced by the Federal Government in response to rising piracy and kidnapping incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, which previously accounted for more than 90 per cent of global crew kidnappings at sea.