Japan Supports Strengthening Maritime Law Enforcement and the Rule of Law at Sea in the Gulf of Guinea

On 10 October 2025, Mr. TAHARA Kentaro, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria , attended the graduation ceremony of the Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training course held at the Joint Maritime Security Training Center (JMSTC) in Lagos.
 

The training forms part of the project “Strengthening Maritime Law Enforcement and the Rule of Law at Sea to Maintain a Free and Open Maritime Space in the Gulf of Guinea, ” implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and funded by the Government of Japan with a contribution of USD 1.47 million.
 

In collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, around 25 maritime law enforcement officers from West and Central African countries participated in the course. 
 

The ceremony was attended by Commodore Olayinka Aliu, Commander of JMSTC and Mr. Danilo Campisi, Deputy Country Representative of UNODC Nigeria. During the ceremony, certificates were presented to the course graduates. 
 

On behalf of Ambassador SUZUKI Hideo, Mr. Tahara delivered the Ambassador’s remarks, highlighting that the training strengthened the responses to maritime crimes at sea in the Gulf of Guinea. He also encouraged the graduates to uphold integrity and professionalism in their continued efforts to ensure a safe and secure maritime space.