The Central Naval Command has intensified strategic engagements with key maritime stakeholders and major oil exploration companies to enhance the security of Nigeria’s blue economy and support national crude oil production targets.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, led the engagements, which culminated in a broader stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Discussions centred on addressing security threats to critical maritime infrastructure and economic assets within the Command’s Area of Responsibility.
A major highlight of the engagements was the collective commitment by the Nigerian Navy and industry partners to support the Federal Government’s crude oil production target of 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd).
Stakeholders agreed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s target is achievable if coordinated efforts are sustained to eliminate crude oil theft, sabotage, and other operational disruptions.
Rear Admiral Ibrahim emphasised that the Navy’s core responsibility is to provide a secure and enabling environment for maritime and offshore operations, stressing that effective maritime security is a shared responsibility between the Nigerian Navy and industry operators.
The FOC further assured stakeholders of the continued support of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), particularly in optimising security deployments through strategic leadership and the provision of requisite platforms across the Central Naval Command.
The engagements also provided an opportunity to review the evolving maritime security landscape, with stakeholders expressing confidence that strengthened naval leadership, enhanced inter-agency cooperation, and sustained industry collaboration will drive the achievement of Nigeria’s maritime and economic objectives.
