Nigeria, South Africa to start joint naval patrol

Nigeria and South Africa have agreed to start joint naval patrols to secure shipping on Africa’s Atlantic coast against activities of sea pirates and the likelihood of terrorism, the head of the Nigerian navy said on Friday. Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Samuel Afolayan, who was hosting a reception for visiting chief of the South African navy, Vice Admiral John Retief, said both countries were engaging in a new era of cooperation. “I am happy to state that a new era of cooperation between us is born,” Afolayan said. He added that Nigeria and South Africa will undertake joint military exercises next year, which in due course would include joint naval exercises. South Africa will also provide Nigeria with technical assistance in ship repairs and the provision of spare parts for its naval fleet, he said. Retief said closer cooperation between the two navies was imperative since they were among the most important naval forces in the south Atlantic region and sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, has most of its oil and gas facilities either onshore or offshore of its Atlantic coast. South Africa has in recent years been getting increasing supplies of its crude oil needs from Nigeria. Increased trade between the two biggest economies in Africa has created the need to provide more security for shipping on their Atlantic corridor. Both countries also have bilateral cooperation agreements covering defence, police affairs, agriculture, science and technology, and culture.