Nigeria, Spain intensify Naval collaboration amid shift in global shipping routes
By Philip Nwosu
Nigeria and Spain Navies have stepped up collaboration to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea following rising tension in the Middle East that has altered global shipping routes.
Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Félix Costales, disclosed this during the visit of Spanish offshore patrol vessel BAM Furor to the Headquarters of the Western Naval Command in Lagos.
According to the ambassador, disruptions in the Middle East have forced many merchant vessels to reroute, placing the Gulf of Guinea at the centre of global maritime traffic.
“The Gulf of Guinea is gaining increasing importance in maritime traffic globally, especially now with the situation in the Middle East. Many merchant ships are rerouting, making the region a key player in the new shipping framework,” he said.
Costales stressed that the development underscores the urgent need to enhance maritime security in the region, noting that increased traffic brings greater responsibility to ensure safe navigation.
He added that Spain’s involvement aligns with its broader Africa policy framework, describing West Africa as a strategic priority, with Nigeria playing a leading role in the region.
Corroborating this, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, said the Nigerian Navy has continued to deepen cooperation with international partners to boost operational effectiveness.
He explained that the visit of BAM Furor forms part of sustained efforts to strengthen naval partnerships and improve maritime security architecture in the Gulf of Guinea.
“One of the pillars of the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, is synergy with other services, agencies and partner nations,” Admiral Mustapha said, noting recent engagements with navies from Pakistan and Indonesia.
He recalled that Spain had previously deployed sister vessel BAM Rayo to the region, while BAM Furor also participated in the 2024 Obangame Express exercise.
The FOC further explained that the Spanish Navy is part of the European Union’s Coordinated Maritime Presence, alongside countries such as Italy, France, Portugal and Denmark, working to combat piracy and support regional frameworks like the Economic Community of West African States Integrated Maritime Strategy and the Yaoundé Architecture.
He noted that such collaborations have contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the list of piracy-prone countries.
Mustapha also disclosed that the operationalisation of a Combined Maritime Task Force, headquartered in Nigeria, would further strengthen coordination among participating navies.
“With the coming operationalisation of the Combined Maritime Task Force, operations in the Gulf of Guinea will become more robust and seamless,” he said.
He added that joint activities lined up during the visit include Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) drills, exercises on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, as well as cultural exchanges.
Also speaking, the Commanding Officer of BAM Furor, Ángel Estrada, commended the professionalism of the Nigerian Navy, describing it as impressive.
“We will stay here for five days and carry out military activities aimed at strengthening cooperation and building capabilities for both navies,” he said.
Estrada noted that the deployment forms part of a wider European Union mission across the Gulf of Guinea, with previous port calls in Mauritania, Senegal, Gabon and Ghana.
He emphasised that both economic and security considerations, including oil trade and maritime crime, drive the collaboration between Spain, Nigeria and the broader European Union.
The enhanced partnership, officials say, is expected to bolster maritime safety and sustain efforts to secure one of the world’s most strategic shipping corridors.
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