FG Moves To Strengthen Fight Against Illegal Fishing, Maritime Threats In Gulf Of Guinea
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to combat illegal fishing and other maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea through a proposed regional Marine and Blue Economy Policy designed to strengthen security, promote investment and enhance cooperation among member states.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said a coordinated regional framework would enable countries in the Gulf of Guinea to address shared maritime challenges and ensure the sustainable utilisation of marine resources.
Oyetola disclosed this while presenting two draft policy documents to the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC), Ambassador Obinna Agbugba, for consideration by the regional body.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola, the minister said the commission had requested Nigeria to lead the development of a comprehensive regional Marine and Blue Economy Policy in a letter dated May 7, 2026.
He explained that, following the request, he established a multi-stakeholder committee comprising technical departments of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics to coordinate the policy development process.
The committee subsequently produced a draft Strategic Plan for the Development and Operationalisation of a Gulf of Guinea Commission Policy on Marine and Blue Economy for 2026–2030, alongside a draft Policy Framework and Strategy Template.
According to the minister, the documents outline the region’s strategic priorities, proposed interventions, performance indicators, implementation timelines, lead agencies and funding considerations.
He noted that the proposed policy would provide a common platform for member states to strengthen collaboration, attract investment and coordinate responses to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Oyetola added that the documents were developed in line with the 2025 Yaoundé Declaration and the work of the United Nations Task Force supporting the commission’s 2026 Work Plan.
To ensure effective coordination and implementation, the minister proposed the establishment of a Steering Committee to oversee policy development and facilitate engagement with relevant stakeholders.
He also recommended that the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy serve as the secretariat of the proposed committee, while calling for inclusive consultations involving member states, relevant institutions and other stakeholders.
He said broad-based consultations would promote regional ownership and ensure that the policy adequately addresses the maritime priorities and development needs of participating countries.
Earlier, Agbugba commended Nigeria for developing its first National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, describing the achievement as an important foundation for the commission’s proposed regional framework.
Speaking on behalf of the commission’s Executive Secretary, José Mba Abeso, Agbugba expressed confidence in Oyetola’s leadership of the initiative.
Established on July 3, 2001, with its headquarters in Luanda, Angola, the Gulf of Guinea Commission comprises nine member states: Angola, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
The proposed regional policy is expected to establish a shared strategic direction for addressing maritime security threats, protecting marine resources, strengthening cooperation and unlocking the economic potential of the Gulf of Guinea’s blue economy.
