The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional collaboration in tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, maritime insecurity, and other threats to the Gulf of Guinea’s marine resources. Oyetola gave this assurance while declaring open the 16th Conference of Ministers of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), held on Thursday in Lagos.
The conference, themed “Securing Our Blue Future: People, Resources and Commitment,” brought together ministers, government representatives, regional institutions, and development partners from FCWC member countries — Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo — to deliberate on sustainable ocean governance and strategies to safeguard the livelihoods of coastal communities.
In his welcome and keynote address, Dr. Oyetola, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noted that the conference offered a crucial platform for reflection and collective action on how best to protect the region’s marine environment and promote sustainable fisheries.
He emphasized that the FCWC remains an essential framework for cooperation among its member states, adding that the Gulf of Guinea’s vast marine wealth must be effectively managed to guarantee food security, employment, and economic growth for millions of people who depend on it.
“Our sub-region is richly endowed with marine resources that support livelihoods, food security, and trade for millions of our people. Yet these resources face growing pressures from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, maritime insecurity, pollution, and the far-reaching impacts of climate change,” Oyetola stated.
He stressed that these challenges could not be overcome by any single country acting alone, hence the need for stronger collaboration, intelligence sharing, and harmonized regulations among member states.
Speaking on Nigeria’s efforts, the minister said the marine and blue economy has been identified by the Tinubu administration as a strategic frontier for national transformation. According to him, the government is strengthening institutional coordination, modernizing port operations, enhancing maritime domain awareness, and improving regulatory frameworks to ensure the sector contributes significantly to national development.
“We recognize that a well-governed and secure maritime space is central to food security, job creation, and long-term economic resilience. Our goal is to build a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible blue economy that contributes meaningfully to national growth and regional stability,” he said.
Oyetola further reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the FCWC and to strengthening cooperation with other member states and international partners. He urged delegates to ensure that the outcomes of the conference translate into practical measures that will strengthen ocean security, expand economic opportunities, and ensure the prosperity of future generations.
Also speaking, the outgoing Chairman of the FCWC and Director-General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) of Liberia, Hon. J. Cyrus Saygbe, commended Nigeria for hosting the 16th session and for its leadership role in driving regional cooperation within the fisheries sector.
Saygbe noted that the FCWC continues to serve as a unifying platform for its member states to address shared challenges, particularly those relating to IUU fishing, marine pollution, and climate change.
“Our region is blessed with resources that sustain millions of lives, but these same resources are under severe pressure. The threats we face — from illegal fishing to pollution and environmental degradation — cannot be confronted in isolation. What is required is sustained collaboration, shared responsibility, and political will,” he said.
The Liberian fisheries chief urged member states to remain committed to implementing regional frameworks and to strengthen partnerships with development agencies and international organizations that support the FCWC’s objectives.
In his remarks, the Secretary-General of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), Mr. Gaston Djihinto, commended the Nigerian Government for its warm hospitality and for hosting the conference successfully.
Djihinto described the Conference of Ministers as an important platform for consultation, policy dialogue, and strategic reflection, where key decisions are made to ensure the sustainable management of the region’s fisheries and marine resources.
“The theme of this year’s conference — ‘Securing Our Blue Future: People, Resources, and Commitment’ — perfectly captures our shared determination to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges confronting the fisheries sector. Fishing remains a vital source of food security, employment, and economic growth for millions across our coastal communities,” he said.
The FCWC Secretary-General expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and development partners for their contributions to the success of the conference. He particularly acknowledged the continued support of the European Union, the Kingdom of Norway, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and other technical partners for their efforts in strengthening the region’s fisheries governance.
“I am confident that the deliberations of this 16th Conference of Ministers will further strengthen regional cooperation and lay the foundation for a prosperous and sustainable future in our fisheries sector,” Djihinto stated.
Development partners present at the event, including representatives from the European Union, the Kingdom of Norway, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and other global organizations, also expressed their commitment to supporting the region’s efforts in strengthening maritime security, improving data sharing, and enforcing fisheries management regulations.
