The UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessel, RFA Lyme Bay, recently docked at Premier Port, Apapa Quays, Lagos, Nigeria, marking a key advancement in the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership.

This arrival is part of a wider Defence Engagement programme across West African partner nations, designed to strengthen regional maritime security.

UK Deputy Defence Adviser to Nigeria, Commander Jonathan Howe, emphasized the UK's dedication to bolstering regional maritime security and empowering Nigeria to counter security threats such as piracy and violent extremist organizations.

According to Commander Howe, this deployment underscores the UK's commitment to collaborating with the Nigerian government on shared international security challenges and enhancing safety in the Gulf of Guinea.

Captain James Wingrove, Commanding Officer of RFA Lyme Bay, shared his enthusiasm for the opportunity to train with the Nigerian Navy. He explained that the ship's crew, along with UK Royal Marines boarding and search teams, would engage in maritime capability training and conduct interoperability exercises with their Nigerian counterparts.

While in Nigeria, Lyme Bay will host numerous Defence Engagement activities. These include ship tours, events for national dignitaries, displays of the vessel's capabilities, and various training sessions aimed at enhancing the skills and operational synergy between UK and Nigerian naval forces. Additionally, Lyme Bay will take part in a multinational maritime security exercise with Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, and Nigerian naval forces off the coast of Nigeria.

The UK-Nigeria partnership focuses on a range of areas including defence cooperation, policing, maritime and cyber security, multi-agency response to kidnappings, and counter-terrorism. This collaboration builds on historical ties and a shared commitment to democratic governance principles.