The Federal Government has announced plans to extend the Deep Blue Project to the Bakassi Peninsula and other critical maritime corridors across Nigeria’s coastline.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja. He said the expansion aims to strengthen maritime security, reduce piracy, and protect economic activities in Nigeria’s territorial waters.

The Deep Blue Project, launched in 2021, is Nigeria’s comprehensive maritime security initiative that includes patrol vessels, surveillance aircraft, and a command-and-control centre. It has been credited with significantly reducing pirate attacks in the Gulf of Guinea.

Oyetola noted that the success recorded so far has encouraged the government to extend the project’s coverage to more areas, especially the strategic Bakassi region, which borders Cameroon and has long been a security concern.

“Bakassi and other vital maritime corridors are critical to our blue economy aspirations. We will deploy more assets and technology to secure these areas,” the minister said.

The expansion is expected to boost confidence among local fishermen, traders, and international shipping companies operating in Nigerian waters. It will also support increased economic activities such as oil and gas exploration, fishing, and coastal trade.

The Deep Blue Project was initiated to tackle piracy, oil theft, illegal bunkering, and other maritime crimes. Since its launch, reported incidents of piracy in Nigerian waters have dropped significantly. However, security challenges persist in some coastal communities and border areas.

The Minister assured that the expansion will involve close collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and other security agencies.

This development comes as the Federal Government continues to push for the full potential of Nigeria’s blue economy to drive national revenue and create jobs for coastal communities.

Stakeholders have welcomed the planned expansion, describing it as a timely move to secure Nigeria’s vast maritime domain and support economic growth.