At the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called for the establishment of a Combined Maritime Task Force to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea. Nigeria expressed its readiness to host the task force’s headquarters in Lagos, underlining its commitment to regional stability.
The announcement was made on Sunday through Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, as President Tinubu emphasized the need for the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to prioritize maritime security in the region.
Nigeria’s Role in strengthening African maritime security
Nigeria’s proposal for a maritime task force coincides with its agreement with the AU to provide Strategic Sea Lift Services for peace support operations, humanitarian aid, and natural disaster response. The agreement, signed by Nigeria’s Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar, mandates the Nigerian Navy to provide vessels for these operations on a cost-recovery basis.
Among the key officials present at the signing were Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Naval Chief Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, and Director-General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, signed on behalf of the AU.
President Tinubu welcomed the AUPSC’s decision to upgrade the Nigerian National Counter-Terrorism Centre into a Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre. He also acknowledged the extension of the Multinational Joint Task Force’s mandate to combat terrorism and violent extremism in the Lake Chad region.
Regional stability and economic resilience
President Tinubu highlighted concerns about Libya’s instability exacerbating security threats in the Sahel and called for AU support in restoring order. He also underscored the need to address security challenges in countries undergoing political transitions, including Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Gabon.
Additionally, Tinubu warned against external military interventions in African security matters and supported operationalizing the African Standby Force, urging AU members to finalize agreements to enhance regional peacekeeping capabilities.
Push for an African credit rating agency
Beyond security concerns, President Tinubu advocated for an African-led credit rating agency (ACRA) to ensure fairer assessments of African economies. He emphasized that an independent rating system would counter biases in global credit ratings and support economic growth.
Tinubu commended the African Union, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance for developing the Africa Financing Stability Mechanism (AFSM). He stressed its importance in addressing financial instability, high borrowing costs, and limited access to long-term funding. The AFSM is expected to strengthen financial resilience and economic opportunities across the continent.
With these strategic initiatives, Nigeria continues to position itself as a key player in Africa’s maritime security and economic stability.
