Deep Blue Demonstration: Nigeria is fully equipped to combat pirates in the Gulf of Guinea – Dominguez, IMO Scribe

The Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, says the counter-piracy demonstration by the Deep Blue assets of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) indicates that Nigeria is fully equipped to combat pirates in the Gulf of Guinea.

The IMO Scribe, who was on a visit to Nigeria, gave this appraisal during the counter-piracy demonstration which took place at the Nigerian Navy Underwater Base at Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos State, on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

At the demonstration were the Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Director General of NIMASA Dayo Mobereola and other top government officials.

Dominguez said “I can tell you that with the explanations of the Deep Blue Project experts, and if you combine that with the display, the amazing display that I have just experienced, I can tell that it is not only state-of-the-art equipment, but the results actually prove that Nigeria has the right equipment in order to carry out these activities.

“I want to start by thanking the government of Nigeria, the Ministry, NIMASA, and particularly the Deep Blue team. Because this is one of the most impressive displays that I have seen and experienced. And the reality is that we know how important maritime security is, particularly for Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.

“And I hope and I really encourage the government to sustain this project. Because the results are there. The fact that for the last three years there has been not a single piracy attack in the national waters of Nigeria just demonstrates the effectiveness. And, of course, this also demonstrates and replicates the fact that commerce will return and come back. Which in turn is going to help the economy of the country.”

Whether the counter-piracy demonstration and other maritime investments which he had visited would impact on the success of Nigeria at the IMO elections in November, Dominguez stated with emphasis that IMO has no choice but is an organization that works with 176 members states. He however encouraged Nigeria to intensify with her campaign for the election.

According to him, “the International Maritime Organisation works with 176 member states. And I encourage Nigeria to continue their campaign for the election into the IMO Council. They have been there before. They know that they are doing very good work. And I wish them a lot of success in the elections.”

Speaking earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said the Deep Blue project is a multilayered security architecture that has earned Nigeria a zero piracy for the past three years, pointing out that the demonstration of the assets was to prove that the fight against pirates by Nigeria is not a fluke.

Oyetola said “We have the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization witnessing the demonstration of the capabilities of the Deep Blue project. I want to say that the Deep Blue project is a multilayered security architecture, that has earned Nigeria a zero priority for the past three years.

“And it is not enough for us to say so. It is important for people, particularly the Secretary General, to witness the demonstration.  It is not a fluke, it is a reality.

“And I must commend the various agencies, the security agencies particularly, for the collaboration. That means with teamwork, there is nothing you cannot achieve. We will try to sustain it.

“It is tough in terms of funding. But the Federal Government is determined to ensure that there is no piracy in our waters.  That is part of what will allow us to harness the potential of the economy.

“I must commend all the people that are involved, the CEO of the management team, all the various agencies that have contributed in getting this thing to this stage. I am proud of the fact that the Secretary General is able to look at this.”

On the IMO Council Election, the Minister said “I will come back to the UK to be able to convince them (IMO Member States) that Nigeria deserves to be a member of the Council of IMO. We are looking at being part of the Council from November this year. But the ultimate is for us to get to the IMO Council.”

Tinubu reiterates commitment to developing Nigeria’s maritime sector
During the visit of the IMO Secretary-General to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos on Friday, October 3, President reiterated his administration’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s maritime sector as a viable alternative to fossil energy.

President Tinubu noted that the recent signing of the National Maritime Policy was a deliberate step to entrench global best practices and strengthen the competitiveness of the Nigerian maritime industry.

In his remarks, Arsenio Dominguez commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for its remarkable achievements in maritime safety and security, particularly in safeguarding the Gulf of Guinea. He assured that the United Nations agency remains ready to collaborate with Nigeria in sustaining the recent successes recorded in the sector.