Finally, the dedicated multinational naval force to secure the Gulf of Guinea has a take-off date — and a special one at that, coinciding with the week the Nigerian Navy celebrates its 70th anniversary.

What do we know about the Gulf of Guinea Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF)?

• The Task Force is envisioned as a ready-to-deploy force capable of rapid, coordinated regional maritime security responses, with the objective of tackling the complex security threats in the Gulf of Guinea.
• In May 2022, Naval Chiefs of Gulf of Guinea countries met during the Nigerian Navy’s International Maritime Conference in Port Harcourt and adopted the Port Harcourt Declaration, which included a call for the establishment of a Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF) for the Gulf of Guinea.
• Nigeria has played a central role in discussions towards the Task Force’s take-off. In May 2023, Nigeria’s then Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral AZ Gambo, hosted a meeting of Heads of Navies and Coast Guards from across the Gulf of Guinea region, with the establishment of the Task Force as the key agenda item.
• The African Union has also been a key supporter of the CMTF — the idea for such a force was in fact first raised at the AU Peace and Security Council and captured in a June 2021 AUPSC communiqué.
• From the outset, Nigeria pledged to host the Task Force’s headquarters in Lagos. At the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to host the headquarters in Lagos, while urging the AU to prioritise the Task Force’s take-off.
• A pioneer commander has since been appointed (2025), and has assumed duty: Commodore Mohammed Saghir Shettima of the Nigerian Navy.

What do we know about the take-off of the CMTF?

• The CMTF was originally intended for formal operationalization in 2025 but will now take off in 2026.
• ECOWAS Naval Chiefs met in Accra, Ghana from 16–20 February 2026 and discussed the take-off of the CMTF. The following details emerged from that meeting:
• The ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff has approved the operationalization of the Task Force, starting with a coalition of ready nations.
• Five countries have expressed interest in joining Nigeria to launch the CMTF: Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
• The formal flag-off will take place in Lagos from 31 May to 1 June 2026, coinciding with the Nigerian Navy’s 70th Anniversary. The Nigerian Navy will be 70 on June 1, 2026.
• Nigeria is designating 3 ships – NNS Centenary, NNS Sokoto, and NNS Kano; 1 helicopter, and 8 vehicles for the Task Force’s take-off.

What else is worth knowing?

• The Gulf of Guinea, as defined for maritime security purposes, covers 19 countries, stretching from Senegal to Angola on the Atlantic Coast. It is one of the world’s most vital shipping corridors.
• Nigeria is a strategic player in the maritime security of West Africa. The current heads of both the West Africa Regional Maritime Security Centre (CRESMAO), based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Zone E of the ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre – covering Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, and based in Cotonou, Benin – are senior Nigerian Naval Officers.
• In 2024, the Nigerian Navy began helping the Benin Republic Navy to repair and revamp six patrol vessels: BNS PENDJARI, BNS OUEME, BNS ALIBORI, BNS ZOU, BNS MATELOT BRICE KPOMASSE, BNS COUFFFO. Three of these have been handed over to the Benin Navy following completion of scheduled works.
• In March 2022, Nigeria exited the International Maritime Bureau’s List of Piracy-prone Countries, and has maintained that status since then.
• In February 2026, the Global Firepower Index 2026 listed the Nigerian Navy as having the strongest naval fleet in Africa – and 22nd globally; ranked by number of vessels.