Ogun Strategic to National Security as FOC Western Visits Governor Abiodun

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, on Thursday led a delegation of senior naval officers on a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, at the Government House, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. 

During the visit, Governor Abiodun commended the Nigerian Navy, particularly the Western Naval Command, for the establishment of a naval outpost at Tongeji Island, describing the initiative as a critical step toward strengthening border security and safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

The Governor noted that the naval presence at Tongeji Island would significantly curb infiltration from the neighbouring Republic of Benin and deter trans-border criminal activities capable of undermining peace and economic stability in Ogun State.

In a major policy disclosure, Governor Abiodun announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the commencement of commercial oil drilling at Tongeji Island. He also revealed that the long-awaited Olokola Deep Seaport project in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area has received presidential approval for immediate take-off. 

According to the Governor, these developments underscore the strategic importance of Ogun State in Nigeria’s economic and security architecture, especially within the South-West maritime corridor.

Governor Abiodun further expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Navy for its sustained support in maintaining security across the state, stressing that effective inter-agency collaboration remains key to the relative peace and stability currently enjoyed in Ogun.

Speaking earlier, Rear Admiral Mustapha described Ogun State as critical and strategic to Nigeria’s national security interests. He disclosed that the naval outpost at Tongeji Island would soon be upgraded to a Forward Operations Base (FOB) in recognition of the area’s growing security relevance and its significant oil potential.

The FOC explained that the visit was aimed at deepening cooperation between the Nigerian Navy and the Ogun State Government, adding that the Western Naval Command has a constitutional responsibility to secure Nigeria’s maritime and land borders with the Republic of Benin and prevent criminal elements from exploiting border communities.

Rear Admiral Mustapha also conveyed the warm regards of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, AM, and reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to providing robust maritime security to support emerging oil exploration activities, port development, and blue economy initiatives in Ogun State and the wider South-West region.