President Bola Tinubu used the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to advocate for the creation of a combined maritime task force to bolster security in the Gulf of Guinea.
At the session, Tinubu urged the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritize this initiative, emphasizing its potential to significantly enhance security in the region.
He further announced Nigeria’s willingness to host the headquarters of the task force in Lagos.
The Nigerian President’s position was conveyed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, during the discussions on the AUPSC’s report, which focused on peace and security across Africa.
The report also covered the biennial review of the Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa (2023–2024).
In his statement, Tinubu stressed: “The time is right for the African Union Peace and Security Council to prioritise 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.”
Nigeria’s proposal for the task force coincided with a significant agreement signed between the AU and Nigeria. The agreement, aimed at enhancing peace support operations, humanitarian missions, and personnel movement, also saw Nigeria agreeing to provide Strategic Sea Lift Services.
The Nigerian Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, signed the agreement, under which the Nigerian Navy will provide a vessel for operations on a cost-recovery basis. The signing ceremony was attended by key Nigerian officials, including Nigeria’s Attorney-General, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, and Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla. The AU was represented by Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security.
Additionally, President Tinubu expressed his approval of the AUPSC’s decision to upgrade Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre to a Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre. He also commended the renewal of the mandate for the Multinational Joint Task Force, which addresses terrorism and violent extremism in the Lake Chad Region.
On the situation in Libya, Tinubu voiced concerns about the ongoing instability in the country, warning that it exacerbates security challenges in the Sahel. “The Sahel cannot enjoy peace as long as Libya does not,” he stated, urging the Assembly to support initiatives aimed at restoring law and order in Libya.
