Nigeria Calls for Combined Maritime Task Force for Gulf of Guinea at AU Summit, Navy to Provide Sea Lift Services

Nigeria Advocates for Regional Maritime Security at AU Summit

At the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called on the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to prioritize the establishment of a Combined Maritime Task Force to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea.

Delivering Nigeria’s position on behalf of President Tinubu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to regional security and expressed the country’s willingness to host the headquarters of the task force in Lagos.

> “The time has come for the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritize the creation of a Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea. I wish to announce that Nigeria would like to host the headquarters of the task force in Lagos,” he stated.

Nigeria Signs Agreement to Provide Strategic Sea Lift Services

On the same day, Nigeria signed an agreement with the AU to provide Strategic Sea Lift Services to support AU peace operations, humanitarian efforts, natural disaster response, and personnel movement.

The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, and Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security. Other notable officials in attendance included:

Prince Lateef Fagbemi – Attorney-General and Minister of Justice

Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar – Minister of Foreign Affairs

Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla – Chief of Naval Staff

Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed – Director-General, Nigerian Intelligence Agency

Under this agreement, the Nigerian Navy will provide a vessel for AU operations on a cost-recovery basis, reinforcing Nigeria’s role in regional security and peacekeeping efforts.

Nigeria’s Commitment to Regional and Continental Security

President Tinubu welcomed the AUPSC’s decision to upgrade Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre to a Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre, recognizing the country’s strategic role in combating security threats across Africa.

He also commended the renewal of the Multinational Joint Task Force’s (MNJTF) mandate, aimed at addressing terrorism and violent extremism in the Lake Chad region.

Concerns Over Libya and Sahel Security

The Nigerian leader expressed deep concern over Libya’s continued instability, warning that it exacerbates security challenges in the Sahel region.

> “The Sahel cannot enjoy peace as long as Libya does not,” he cautioned.

He highlighted growing security threats in countries undergoing democratic transitions, including Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Gabon, urging AU support for measures to restore stability.

Additionally, President Tinubu stressed the need for the AU to safeguard African security matters from external interference, including the increasing involvement of private military companies.

Support for the African Standby Force

President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s backing for the African Standby Force (ASF) and encouraged AU member states to adopt the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for its operationalization.

Push for an African-Led Credit Rating Agency

On economic matters, President Tinubu advocated for the establishment of an African-led Credit Rating Agency (ACRA) to ensure fairer and more transparent credit assessments for African economies.

> “An independent African-led rating agency will help provide fairer assessments of African economies and reduce the bias often observed in existing global rating agencies,” he stated.

He commended the AU, African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Finance for their leadership in advancing Africa’s financial development framework.

Africa Financing Stability Mechanism (AFSM)

Acknowledging Africa’s economic challenges—rising borrowing costs, debt overhang, low domestic resource mobilization, and limited access to long-term financing—President Tinubu emphasized the importance of the Africa Financing Stability Mechanism (AFSM).

> “The establishment of the AFSM underscores the collective commitment of member states in addressing financial vulnerabilities and fostering economic resilience across the continent,” he noted.

He highlighted progress made at the 5th Extraordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance in November 2025, held in Abuja, Nigeria, which laid the foundation for the AFSM’s adoption by AU member states.

> “The adoption of the AFSM by member states is expected to enhance financial stability, strengthen resilience against external shocks, and provide a more coordinated approach to managing financial risks across the continent,” he added.

Nigeria’s active participation at the 38th AU Summit reaffirmed its leadership role in Africa’s security and economic development. President Tinubu’s proposals—including the Combined Maritime Task Force, Strategic Sea Lift Services, Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre, and African Credit Rating Agency—demonstrate the country’s commitment to peace, stability, and economic resilience across the continent.