By Seun Ibiyemi
Nigeria has said it will leverage the €59 million West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme (WASOP) to intensify the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing while strengthening marine resource management and ocean governance.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this during a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gautier Mignot, in Abuja.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Minister’s Special Adviser, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, both officials reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation on maritime security and sustainable ocean governance across the Gulf of Guinea.
R-L:The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola and the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, when the EU Ambassador visited the Minister in his office in Abuja
Oyetola commended the European Union for its longstanding support towards maritime stability in the region, describing the Gulf of Guinea as a strategic corridor for global shipping and regional economic development.
The minister said the WASOP initiative offers a significant opportunity to strengthen efforts against illegal fishing, improve ocean governance and promote the sustainable exploitation of marine resources.
He noted that Nigeria is ready to fully participate in the programme to attract technical and financial assistance that would enhance enforcement capacity and accelerate the country’s blue economy agenda.
Oyetola identified illegal fishing as one of the greatest threats to marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of coastal communities, warning that the practice continues to deplete fish stocks, undermine food security and weaken coastal economies.
“Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is a direct threat to national security, food sovereignty and the survival of our coastal communities,” the minister said.
“We are calling for stronger international collaboration, backed by aggressive monitoring and effective enforcement systems, to dismantle these illicit operations and safeguard our waters.”
The minister also highlighted reforms being implemented under the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, noting that the policy prioritises innovation, private sector participation and sustainable development of marine resources.
He cited improvements in port operations, logistics efficiency and maritime security as key milestones achieved under the current administration, adding that Nigeria is expanding maritime infrastructure to improve its competitiveness in global trade.
Oyetola stressed that cooperation in the maritime sector should extend beyond piracy suppression to include coordinated efforts against environmental crimes, human trafficking and illegal fishing.
He called for increased European Union support in surveillance technology, fisheries monitoring systems and enforcement mechanisms to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to curb IUU fishing across the Gulf of Guinea.
In his remarks, Ambassador Mignot reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting maritime cooperation with Nigeria and other West African countries.
He described WASOP as a flagship EU-funded initiative designed to promote integrated ocean governance, sustainable fisheries management and the protection of coastal and marine ecosystems.
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According to him, the programme will enhance collaboration among coastal states, strengthen enforcement frameworks and support the development of an inclusive and sustainable blue economy across the region.
The renewed partnership is expected to bolster Nigeria’s efforts to secure its maritime domain, protect marine resources and unlock the vast economic potential of the blue economy.
