AFRIDEX 2026: NN Panelist Ahmed Advocates Interoperability for Gulf of Guinea Maritime Security
Commodore Isa Ahmed, Director of Administration at the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION), has advocated stronger interoperability among navies, maritime agencies and regional partners as a key strategy for tackling security threats in the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking as a Nigerian Navy panelist at the ongoing Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX 2026), Ahmed said maritime security efforts should focus less on individual platforms and more on the ability of relevant institutions to work together through coordinated operations and information-sharing.
During his presentation on the topic, “Interoperability at Sea: Strengthening Maritime Security through Systems, Standards and Integration,” Ahmed said interoperability must transform separate national and institutional capabilities into a coordinated operational advantage.
He identified the Yaoundé Architecture as the key regional framework for information-sharing and coordinated responses to piracy, armed robbery, illegal fishing and other cross-border maritime threats.
According to him, while the architecture provides an institutional structure comprising national coordination mechanisms, Multinational Maritime Coordination Centres, regional centres and the Interregional Coordination Centre, its effectiveness depends on practical connectivity among the various components.
Ahmed outlined three mutually reinforcing pillars of interoperability: systems, standards and integration.
On systems, he stressed the need to link radar, Automatic Identification System (AIS), satellite surveillance, vessel-tracking platforms and operations centres to provide maritime operators with a more comprehensive operational picture without necessarily replacing existing equipment.
On standards, he advocated common technical formats, reporting procedures, terminology and security protocols to ensure that shared information is consistently understood and trusted by participating institutions.
He said integration also requires clearly defined responsibilities, liaison arrangements, joint exercises and decision-making processes that translate shared information into timely and lawful action.
Addressing Nigeria’s maritime security efforts, Ahmed called for stronger information-sharing among the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other relevant agencies.
He also advocated regular inter-agency exercises and investments in technology aligned with clearly defined operational needs.
According to him, reliable communications, consistent procedures, trained personnel and sustainable funding are essential to the effectiveness of the Yaoundé Architecture.
Ahmed also highlighted cybersecurity, institutional trust and human capacity as critical considerations, warning that increased connectivity creates both opportunities and risks.
He said access controls, data protection measures and continuous training were necessary to sustain confidence among participating institutions.
On defence procurement, the naval officer urged stakeholders to incorporate interoperability requirements from the outset, including specifications for system interfaces, data exchange, security and testing, rather than treating compatibility as an afterthought.
He outlined five recommendations for improving maritime interoperability: strengthening national and regional information links; agreeing on practical interoperability requirements before acquiring new systems; incorporating those requirements into procurement specifications; investing continuously in personnel development and joint exercises; and ensuring the long-term sustainability and security of shared capabilities.
“The future of maritime security will depend not only on the individual capabilities of our navies and agencies, but on our ability to make those capabilities work together,” Ahmed said.
He emphasised that the success of interoperability initiatives should ultimately be measured by improvements in maritime awareness, decision-making and the speed and coordination of responses to security threats across the Gulf of Guinea.
