Nigeria has joined Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries in endorsing a multinational maritime security alliance aimed at protecting commercial shipping, global energy routes and freedom of navigation across the Red Sea and nearby waterways.
The move marks Nigeria’s entry into a major Middle East security initiative led by Saudi Arabia, following increasing attacks on commercial vessels, oil tankers and critical maritime infrastructure in the region.
According to international reports, the proposed Multinational Maritime Defence Alliance was unveiled after a high-level meeting held in Riyadh on Thursday. Representatives from 43 countries and a delegation from the European Union attended the meeting, despite invitations being extended to 51 nations.
Following deliberations on rising maritime security threats, 14 countries signed a joint declaration backing the initiative.
The signatories include Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia.
The coalition will be headquartered in Saudi Arabia, which will also host its command centres.
According to the joint statement, the alliance is designed to safeguard international shipping lanes, global energy supply corridors and key maritime routes around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Member states stressed that the alliance is strictly defensive and is not intended to target any country, military alliance or international organisation.
The participating countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation through intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, operational planning, training, capacity building and coordinated maritime security operations.
Nigeria’s participation represents a significant expansion of its maritime security role beyond West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, reflecting a broader commitment to international efforts aimed at securing global trade and energy supply routes.