Abuja, August 28, 2025 — The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, on Wednesday, received in audience the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe to Nigeria, Ambassador Carlos Moreno, alongside the country’s Chief of Defence Staff, on a courtesy visit to the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.
The high-level delegation emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe, particularly in the areas of maritime security, defence cooperation, and regional stability in the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking during the visit, Vice Admiral Ogalla welcomed the envoys and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing collaborative efforts with neighboring states to tackle transnational maritime crimes, including piracy, illegal fishing, and crude oil theft. He stressed that the Nigerian Navy remained open to deepening joint training, intelligence sharing, and strategic partnerships that would guarantee safer regional waters.
Ambassador Moreno, in his remarks, commended the Nigerian Navy’s leadership role in safeguarding maritime routes within West and Central Africa. He described the courtesy call as a platform to advance cooperation under existing bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
The visiting Chief of Defence Staff of Sao Tome and Principe also expressed his country’s readiness to work closely with Nigeria in strengthening regional security architecture, noting that both nations share common interests in the Gulf of Guinea.
The visit further underscores Nigeria’s growing naval diplomacy and leadership in regional maritime security initiatives, positioning the country as a strategic partner in fostering peace and economic prosperity within the Gulf of Guinea.
