By Seun Ibiyemi
Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for deeper collaboration with the European Union to combat emerging maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea, including illegal fishing, trafficking, and environmental crimes.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the EU Evaluation Mission on the Gulf of Guinea Inter-regional Network (GoGIN II) Project, the minister stressed that evolving security challenges in the region demand a more integrated and sustained response driven by strong international partnerships.
The EU delegation, led by Stéphanie Vergniault, is in Nigeria to conduct an independent assessment of the EU-funded initiative, which supports maritime coordination and information sharing across the Gulf of Guinea.
Oyetola reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Security, describing it as a critical platform for regional cooperation, intelligence exchange, and collective response to maritime threats.
He noted that EU-backed programmes such as GoGIN II have significantly strengthened the framework by improving maritime domain awareness and fostering collaboration among national and regional agencies.
The minister highlighted the role of the YARIS information-sharing system in enhancing coordination among maritime stakeholders but emphasised the need to sustain and optimise its use.
He also called for improved interoperability between regional centres and national institutions, alongside continued technical support and capacity building.
Citing Nigeria’s domestic efforts, Oyetola pointed to the success of the Deep Blue Project, which he said has contributed to a notable decline in piracy and armed robbery at sea in recent years.
According to him, the progress demonstrates the effectiveness of combining national initiatives with regional and international support.
As the GoGIN II programme approaches completion, the minister urged stakeholders to consolidate its gains and ensure long-term sustainability through stronger regional ownership.
He stressed that preserving the achievements is essential for securing the maritime domain and supporting economic activities in the Gulf of Guinea.
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Earlier, Vergniault said the evaluation mission aims to assess the programme’s performance, operational outcomes, and sustainability, while identifying lessons to guide future maritime security initiatives.
She added that the team, which includes Alioune Diop, is engaging key stakeholders in Nigeria to gather feedback on the use of the YARIS platform, its contribution to coordination under the Yaoundé framework, and ongoing challenges in the maritime sector.
