FG targets illegal fishing, maritime threats in Gulf of Guinea

Abimbola Joseph

The Federal Government is pushing for a regional maritime policy to combat illegal fishing, strengthen security and attract investment across the Gulf of Guinea.

The proposed Marine and Blue Economy Policy is expected to improve cooperation among member states, protect marine resources and provide a common strategy for addressing shared maritime challenges.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega 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.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola said the commission had requested Nigeria’s leadership in developing the regional policy in a letter dated May 7, 2026.

He said he subsequently constituted a multi-stakeholder committee comprising technical departments of the ministry and its Department of Planning, Research and Statistics to develop the proposals.

The committee produced a draft strategic plan for the development and operationalisation of the commission’s Marine and Blue Economy Policy for 2026–2030, alongside a draft policy framework and strategy template.

According to Oyetola, the documents set out strategic priorities, proposed interventions, performance indicators, implementation timelines, lead agencies and funding considerations.

He said the framework would promote investment, strengthen cooperation among member states and support coordinated action against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

Oyetola added that the proposals took account of the 2025 Yaoundé Declaration and the work of the United Nations task force supporting the commission’s 2026 work plan.

To ensure effective implementation, the minister proposed a steering committee to guide policy development and coordinate consultations with stakeholders. He recommended that the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy serve as the committee’s secretariat.

He also called for inclusive consultations involving member states, relevant institutions and other stakeholders to secure regional ownership of the policy.

Earlier, Agbugba commended Nigeria for developing its first National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as an important foundation for the commission’s regional initiative.

Speaking on behalf of the commission’s Executive Secretary, José Mba Abeso, Agbugba expressed confidence in Oyetola’s leadership of the process.

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 policy is expected to provide a common framework for tackling maritime security threats, protecting marine resources and unlocking the Gulf of Guinea’s blue economy potential.