DEEP BLUE PROJECT SET FOR EXPANSION TO BAKASSI AND OTHER HIGH RISK MARITIME CORRIDORS AS NIMASA TRAINS 492 PERSONNEL

DEEP BLUE PROJECT SET FOR EXPANSION TO BAKASSI AND OTHER HIGH RISK MARITIME CORRIDORS AS NIMASA TRAINS 492 PERSONNEL

By Prince Benson Davies

The Federal Government is set to extend the Deep Blue Project to more vulnerable sections of Nigeria’s coastline, including the Bakassi Peninsula, as part of a renewed push to secure the nation’s maritime domain and sustain recent gains in maritime safety.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, made this known on Thursday at the 2026 Graduation Ceremony of 492 Advanced Combat Personnel and the Capability Presentation of the Deep Blue Project Task Group held at the 5th Battalion Army Barracks, Elele, Rivers State.

He explained that the planned expansion would cover critical coastal areas such as Bakassi Peninsula, Igbokoda and other corridors identified as prone to maritime threats. The move, he said, is designed to consolidate the achievements of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure and extend its coverage to areas requiring heightened security presence.

“Building on the significant strides already made, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is currently evaluating strategic frameworks for the expansion of the Deep Blue Project to further strengthen our maritime security architecture in critical coastal areas such as Igbokoda, Bakassi, and other vulnerable maritime corridors,” Oyetola said.

He noted that the expansion would enhance operational capacity, improve maintenance systems and ensure that maritime security assets remain functional in protecting Nigeria’s waters. According to him, the sustained implementation of the project, alongside inter agency collaboration, has helped Nigeria record zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters over the past four years. Piracy across the Gulf of Guinea also declined by more than 70 percent within the same period.

Oyetola recalled that before the launch of the Deep Blue Project in 2021, the Gulf of Guinea accounted for nearly 45 percent of global piracy incidents and over 90 percent of crew kidnappings at sea. He credited the turnaround to the deployment of integrated air, land and sea assets supported by advanced surveillance systems and rapid response capabilities.

Linking the project to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic agenda, the minister said maritime security remains central to trade facilitation, investment promotion and national development. He urged the graduating personnel to uphold professionalism, patriotism, teamwork and respect for the rule of law in their duties.

Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the graduation reflects Nigeria’s operational readiness and determination to maintain a safe and economically viable maritime environment. He disclosed that the 492 personnel completed 33 specialised training programmes covering maritime security units, armoured vehicle operations, helicopter and aircraft operations, interceptor boat handling, C4I systems and UAV operations. The training was conducted in Nigeria and in countries including Syria, Italy, Swaziland and Australia.

The Deep Blue Project currently operates with two special mission aircraft, two special mission helicopters, two special mission vessels, eight unmanned aerial vehicles, 16 fast interceptor boats and 15 armoured coastal patrol vehicles.

The ceremony featured the commissioning of the UAV Workshop and Training Centre, inspection of assets, tactical demonstrations and the presentation of certificates. Dignitaries present included representatives of the Ministers of Defence and State for Defence, as well as service chiefs.

With the expansion plans underway, the Federal Government aims to reinforce Nigeria’s position as a secure gateway for maritime trade in West Africa while protecting coastal communities from transnational maritime crime.

CAPTION
L-R: Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola; Commander of the Deep Blue Task Group, Commodore Solomon Ohunenese and Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and others at the Graduation Ceremony of the Advanced Combat Personnel and Capability Presentation of the Deep Blue Project Task Group held at the 5th Battalion Army Barracks in Elele, Rivers State, on Thursday.

 

CAPTION
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola (left) presenting certificate to a graduating security personnel at the Graduation Ceremony of the Advanced Combat Personnel and Capability Presentation of the Deep Blue Project Task Group held at the 5th Battalion Army Barracks in Elele, Rivers State, on Thursday, as the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola (right) watches.