The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has graduated 492 advanced combat personnel under the Deep Blue Project as the Federal Government announced plans to expand the maritime security initiative to vulnerable coastal corridors across the country.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed the expansion plan on Thursday during the graduation ceremony and capability presentation of the Deep Blue Project Task Group held at the 5th Battalion Army Barracks in Elele, Rivers State.
According to the minister, the planned expansion will focus on critical coastal locations such as the Bakassi Peninsula, Igbokoda, and other vulnerable maritime corridors as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime security architecture.
Oyetola said the initiative is aimed at consolidating the gains already recorded under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, popularly known as the Deep Blue Project.
He explained that the expansion would further reduce maritime insecurity, improve operational capacity, strengthen maintenance systems, and ensure that maritime security assets remain fully operational in protecting Nigeria’s territorial waters.
The minister noted that Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters over the last four years due to sustained implementation of the Deep Blue Project and collaboration among security agencies.
According to him, piracy incidents across the Gulf of Guinea have also declined by more than 70 per cent within the same period.
Oyetola recalled that before the introduction of the Deep Blue Project in 2021, the Gulf of Guinea was regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous maritime corridors, accounting for nearly 45 per cent of reported global piracy incidents and over 90 per cent of crew kidnappings at sea during peak periods.
He said the project has significantly transformed Nigeria’s maritime security framework through the deployment of integrated air, land, and sea assets supported by advanced surveillance systems and rapid response capabilities.
The minister linked the project’s achievements to the Federal Government’s broader economic agenda under Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that maritime security remains critical to trade facilitation, investment growth, and national economic development.
Oyetola also urged the graduating personnel to uphold professionalism, patriotism, teamwork, and respect for the rule of law while carrying out their duties.
Earlier, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, described the event as a strong demonstration of Nigeria’s operational readiness and determination to maintain a safe and economically viable maritime environment.
Mobereola disclosed that the graduating officers completed 33 specialised training programmes across various operational units within the Deep Blue security architecture.
According to him, the graduates include 232 maritime security operatives, 19 armoured vehicle drivers, 13 armoured vehicle mechanics, eight special mission helicopter pilots, eight helicopter technicians, five special mission aircraft pilots, six aircraft technicians, 49 special mission vessel crew members, 28 interceptor boat mechanics, 62 interceptor boat drivers, 52 command and intelligence operators, and 10 unmanned aerial systems operators.
He added that the personnel underwent advanced operational training in countries including Syria, Italy, Swaziland, Australia, and Nigeria to expose them to international best practices in maritime security operations.
Mobereola further revealed that the operational assets under the Deep Blue Project include two special mission aircraft equipped with maritime surveillance sensors, two special mission helicopters, two deep-sea mission vessels, eight unmanned aerial vehicles, 16 fast interceptor boats, and 15 armoured coastal patrol vehicles.
Highlights of the ceremony included the commissioning of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Workshop and Training Centre, inspection of Deep Blue Project assets, tactical demonstrations, and the presentation of certificates to the graduating personnel.
