The Federal Government has expressed readiness to leverage the €59 million West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme (WASOP) as part of intensified efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing while strengthening sustainable management of its marine resources. The government also sought increased technical assistance from the European Union (EU), particularly in surveillance systems, fisheries monitoring, and enforcement capacity to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to curb IUU fishing across the Gulf of Guinea.
Minister Oyetola Meets EU Ambassador
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, made this known in Abuja during a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation on maritime security and sustainable ocean governance. In a statement signed by Dr Bolaji Akinola, the minister’s Special Adviser, Oyetola commended the EU for its longstanding partnership with Nigeria, particularly its support for maritime stability in the Gulf of Guinea, a region critical to global shipping and regional economic development.
Opportunity for Coordinated Action
He noted that the WASOP presents a timely opportunity to strengthen coordinated action against illegal fishing, improve ocean governance and promote sustainable exploitation of marine resources across West Africa. Oyetola said Nigeria is keen to fully engage with the programme to attract technical and financial support that will enhance enforcement capacity and boost the country’s blue economy ambitions. The Minister stressed that illegal fishing remains a major threat to the marine ecosystem and coastal livelihoods, warning that IUU fishing continues to deplete fish stocks, undermine food security, and erode the economic well-being of coastal communities.
“Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is a direct threat to national security, food sovereignty, and the survival of our coastal communities. We cannot afford to stand by and watch our marine ecosystems be depleted and economic livelihoods eroded. We are calling for an era of stronger international collaboration, backed by aggressive monitoring and uncompromised enforcement systems, to permanently dismantle these illicit operations and safeguard our waters,” he said.
BPC Calls for Marine Protected Areas
Meanwhile, the Biodiversity Preservation Centre (BPC) has called on the Federal Government to establish legally recognised marine protected areas and strengthen efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s oceans from growing environmental threats. The conservation group made the call in a statement to mark World Oceans Day 2026, warning that habitat destruction, pollution, and unsustainable exploitation are placing immense pressure on the country’s marine ecosystems and the millions of Nigerians who depend on them for livelihoods and food security.
The Executive Director of BPC, Prof Edem Eniang, and Director of Marine Conservation, Dr Justina Obienu, in a statement, said that protecting Nigeria’s oceans is both an environmental necessity and a moral obligation. Speaking under this year’s World Oceans Day theme, “Awaken New Depths,” BPC said Nigeria must deepen its commitment to marine conservation through stronger policies, community participation, international collaboration, and youth engagement.
The organisation noted that since 2009, it has led marine biodiversity conservation efforts across Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers states, focusing on the protection of endangered species, including sea turtles, Atlantic humpback dolphins, and African manatees. It urged the government to create marine protected areas to preserve critical habitats and improve the survival chances of threatened marine species.
