Oil
Nigeria calls for UN backing on Gulf of Guinea security
Nigeria has urged the UN Security Council to establish a regional maritime surveillance network to combat piracy and oil theft.
Key points
- Nigeria proposed a regional maritime information system to link surveillance platforms across the Gulf of Guinea.
- The federal government highlighted the Deep Blue Project and domestic laws as national security foundations.
- Officials requested sustainable international financing and technical assistance for African-led maritime operations.
Nigeria has asked the United Nations Security Council to endorse a regional maritime monitoring framework designed to combat illegal fishing, crude oil theft and piracy across the Gulf of Guinea, Freedom Online reported. According to the publication, the appeal was delivered during a security debate by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed.
What happened
During the session, the Nigerian representative explained that criminal syndicates operating in the maritime corridor are increasingly deploying advanced satellite communication tools and altering vessel tracking signals to evade detection. The growing technical capacity of these groups creates severe risks for commercial shipping routes and regional economic stability, necessitating stronger technological coordination among coastal states.
To counter these threats, Nigeria suggested creating a shared information system that connects surveillance infrastructure across the region, allowing participating governments to exchange intelligence rapidly. The diplomat noted that while certain nations possess advanced monitoring tools, others lack adequate equipment and trained personnel. He pointed to the nation's Deep Blue Project—which integrates unmanned aerial systems and command centers—as a practical model for securing offshore installations and shipping lanes. Furthermore, he referenced the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act of 2019 as a legal basis for prosecuting offenders, while proposing that any new surveillance network should integrate with the existing Yaoundé architecture and the proposed Combined Maritime Task Force.
Why it matters
Securing maritime corridors is vital for maintaining steady energy flows and protecting economic assets in West and Central Africa. According to World Bank figures from 2025, fuel exports account for 85.9 percent of Nigeria's merchandise exports, underscoring the critical importance of safeguarding offshore production and transport routes from theft and disruption. Brent spot prices stood at 123.1 US$ per barrel on October 27, 2026, according to US Energy Information Administration data, highlighting the global sensitivity of energy markets where regional supply interruptions can generate widespread cost pressures. Establishing reliable maritime security through international cooperation and sustainable funding mechanisms remains essential for protecting both national revenues and international commercial shipping.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Crude benchmarks move budgets, currencies and inflation in producer and importer countries alike. For economies such as Nigeria, where fuels dominate exports, production and refining decisions move the whole economy.
0.5% of Guinea’s merchandise exports were fuels in 2016Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
