Japan Deepens Support for Maritime Security in Gulf of Guinea Earmarks $1.47M Training Initiative.
By Raymond Enoch
In a strategic move to bolster regional security and enforce maritime law across the Gulf of Guinea, the Government of Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to a “Free and Open Maritime Space” through targeted capacity-building efforts with West and Central African nations.
On Thursday, Japan’s First Secretary to Nigeria, Mr. TAHARA Kentaro, attended the graduation ceremony of a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training course at the Joint Maritime Security Training Center (JMSTC) in Lagos. The intensive program, which trained 25 maritime law enforcement officers from across the region, marks a key milestone in a broader regional initiative supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and funded by Japan with USD 1.47 million.
The initiative, formally titled “Strengthening Maritime Law Enforcement and the Rule of Law at Sea to Maintain a Free and Open Maritime Space in the Gulf of Guinea,” aims to tackle the region’s persistent threats of piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing, while promoting cooperation among African maritime agencies.
Also in attendance were Commodore Olayinka Aliu, Commander of JMSTC, and Mr. Danilo Campisi, Deputy Country Representative of UNODC Nigeria, who jointly presented certificates to the newly minted graduates.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Ambassador SUZUKI Hideo, Mr. Tahara emphasized Japan’s unwavering support for the region’s maritime security architecture. “This training enhances the operational capacity to respond to maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea,” he stated, urging graduates to maintain “integrity and professionalism” as they return to their respective posts.
The Gulf of Guinea remains a global maritime security hotspot, with criminal networks exploiting vast stretches of poorly monitored waters. Initiatives like the VBSS training reflect a growing international resolve to address these challenges through partnerships, skills development, and the reinforcement of maritime rule of law.
This latest collaboration between Japan, UNODC, and the Nigerian Navy underscores a deepening international consensus: sustainable maritime security in Africa is essential to global trade, peace, and regional development.
