The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral AA Mustapha, has flagged off Exercise COASTAL GRIP II, a five-day bilateral maritime exercise involving the Nigerian and Portuguese navies.
Representing the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Admiralty Medal, Rear Admiral Mustapha flagged off the exercise on Friday, August 28, 2026, onboard Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) KADA.
Exercise COASTAL GRIP II follows the successful conduct of Exercise COASTAL GRIP I with the Spanish Navy and comes shortly after the conclusion of Operation OBO AJO, underscoring the Nigerian Navy’s sustained operational tempo and commitment to maritime security.
The exercise will feature the deployment of 26 Nigerian Navy Special Forces personnel trained by the Portuguese Navy, alongside the Portuguese Navy frigate ÁLVARES CABRAL, two 8.9-metre Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) donated by Portugal to the Nigerian Navy on July 26, 2026, as well as other Nigerian Navy air and maritime assets.
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Conducted under the European Union Support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy (SWAIMS) Project, implemented by the Portuguese Government, the exercise is designed to strengthen cooperation and operational coordination between the two navies.
Speaking at the flag-off, Rear Admiral Mustapha noted that the exercise demonstrates the strong partnership between Nigeria and Portugal, while providing an avenue to enhance interoperability, exchange operational expertise and further develop maritime security capabilities.
He added that the exercise aligns with the Chief of the Naval Staff Strategic Directives 2026–2027 and the Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy, reaffirming the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustained operational preparedness and the protection of Nigeria’s maritime interests in the Gulf of Guinea.
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