EU and Portugal Donate Patrol Boats to Nigerian Navy

The European Union (EU), in collaboration with the Government of Portugal, donated two 8.9 metre rigid-hull inflatable patrol boats and maritime crime investigation equipment to the Nigerian Navy on Tuesday at the Joint Maritime Security Training Centre (JMSTC) in Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos. This initiative is part of the Support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Security (SWAIMS) project, which is EU-funded and implemented by Portugal to improve maritime security across ECOWAS member states.

Rear Admiral Abdullahi Abubakar Mustapha, representing Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, stated that the donated assets would enhance the Navy’s surveillance, rapid response, and law enforcement capabilities. He noted that Nigeria was removed from the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy-prone countries list in 2021 due to the Navy's effective maritime patrols.

The newly donated boats and forensic equipment are expected to serve as force multipliers in strengthening Nigeria's maritime security efforts. EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, affirmed the EU's long-term commitment to enhancing maritime security in West Africa.