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Chiemelie Ezeobi
The 2026 Sea Power for Africa Symposium opened in Lagos on Tuesday with a strong call for African nations to leverage emerging technologies, strengthen collaboration, and deepen maritime partnerships to address evolving security threats across the continent’s waters.
The biennial symposium, hosted by the Nigerian Navy as part of activities marking its 70th anniversary, brought together heads of navies, coast guards, policymakers, maritime experts and security stakeholders from across Africa and beyond at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island.
Declaring the symposium open, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, described the gathering as a critical platform for addressing maritime security challenges and enhancing regional cooperation.
“I am honored to stand before you today at the 6th Sea Power for Africa Symposium and Maritime Exhibition. First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Chief of the Naval Staff and the dedicated personnel of the Nigerian Navy on their impressive 70th Anniversary.
This significant milestone reflects the Navy’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the territorial integrity of our nation within the maritime domain and beyond,” he said.
Matawalle noted that maritime security remains central to global commerce, stressing that naval forces play a vital role in protecting international trade routes and economic stability.
“Navies are an indispensable aspect of the global economy as they underpin the security, stability, and freedom of movement essential for maritime trade, which constitutes approximately 90 percent of all world trade by volume.
“By safeguarding critical sea lines of communication and preventing disruptions to trade, naval forces serve as steadfast guardians of international commerce and economic stability,” he stated.
According to the minister, the transnational nature of maritime threats requires collective action among African countries and their partners.
“The transnational and interconnected nature of maritime threats presents formidable challenge which often transcends the capacity of individual nations or navies to address independently.
“It is therefore, imperative to recognise the significance of collaborative initiatives among African navies and beyond. By fostering resilient partnerships aimed at enhancing collective capabilities, we can forge a credible maritime defense framework that ensures the security of our continent,” he said.
He added that the symposium aligns with the objectives of the Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050 and provides a platform for stakeholders to develop practical approaches to combating maritime crimes.
“It is on this note that the 2026 Sea Power for Africa Symposium with the theme: ‘Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Maritime Security in Africa’ is considered timely.
“This Symposium is organised to provide enabling platform for stakeholders to discuss and fashion out best ways to employ current and emerging advanced technologies to maximize existing collaborative maritime security architecture towards combating maritime crimes in Africa,” Matawalle said.
The minister highlighted the growing importance of the blue economy and the need for maritime forces to embrace advanced technologies.
“The 6th version of the symposium convenes at a decisive strategic inflection point for the continent. As the Blue Economy moves to the forefront of Africa’s developmental agenda, our maritime forces must evolve from traditional coastal defense to active facilitators of economic security.
“This forum serves as a catalyst for integrating cutting-edge technologies including unmanned systems, AI-driven surveillance, and enhanced data-sharing networks into our operational architecture,” he stated.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to maritime security, Matawalle said: “To this end, the Nigerian government remains unwavering in its commitment to the recapitalisation and modernisation of the Nigerian Navy.
“We recognize that operational success depends on domestic readiness and regional synergy. Consequently, we will continue to prioritise and support the Nigerian Navy’s collaborative frameworks.”
He commended the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, and other naval leaders for their efforts in securing African waters and urged participants to use the forum to deepen international cooperation.
“Together, let us strive to build a secure, prosperous, and sustainable maritime future that benefits our people and generations to come,” he said before formally declaring the symposium open.
Earlier, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, welcomed participants and highlighted the significance of the symposium in advancing maritime security across Africa.
“It is with profound sense of honour that I welcome you to the opening ceremony of the 2026 Sea Power for Africa Symposium. This esteemed forum, held biennially on our continent, brings together heads of navies, coast guards, and policy makers alongside maritime security stakeholders from across the globe, fostering vital dialogue on the myriad challenges that shape our maritime landscape,” he said.
According to him, since its inception in 2004, the symposium has contributed significantly to maritime security and the growth of Africa’s blue economy.
Abbas stressed that no single coastal nation can effectively tackle maritime challenges alone.
“It is a broadly accepted fact that the challenges in the maritime domain exceed the scope and capability of any individual coastal nation. The need for synergy among navies and other law enforcement stakeholders drives the strategic partnership initiative which this forum elicits,” he said.
He noted that the gathering provided an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to the African Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050 and the African Charter on Maritime Security, Safety and Development in Africa.
“Together, as we navigate the future, I encourage us to embody the principles of unity, purpose, and resilience, ensuring that our actions lead to a more secure and prosperous maritime future for all of Africa,” he stated.
Speaking on the theme of the symposium, Abbas said emerging technologies offer immense opportunities for maritime security but could also be exploited by criminal groups.
“This theme is both timely and profoundly relevant because we find ourselves amid an era characterised by unprecedented advancements in technology, presenting both an opportunity and a challenge for humanity.
” These innovations have the potential to significantly contribute to human development and can be strategically utilised to strengthen maritime security.
“However, we must also recognise that, like any powerful instrument, advanced technologies can be subverted by non-state actors, who may exploit them for illegal purposes and criminal enterprises, even within our maritime domains,” he said.
The naval chief said discussions at the symposium would focus on harnessing technology responsibly while mitigating associated risks.
“This year’s theme therefore, serves as a vital compass for our deliberations, guiding us toward the collective development of strategies that fully harness the positive aspects of these technologies while mitigating their risks.
“Together, we are called to forge pathways that will create safer seas across Africa and decisively curtail the capacity of those who seek to disrupt the order and security of our waters,” Abbas said.
He expressed confidence that the symposium would generate actionable ideas and strengthen collective efforts to secure Africa’s maritime environment.
“It is therefore my firm belief that this event will facilitate the much-needed discourse towards identifying variable concepts and action plans in furtherance of our collective resolve to secure our shared maritime space,” he added.
The symposium forms part of activities commemorating the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary and is expected to feature discussions on emerging technologies, maritime governance, regional cooperation and strategies for tackling maritime crime across Africa.
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