ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Nigeria has signalled its readiness to tap into the €59m West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme to strengthen efforts against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and improve the sustainable management of marine resources.
The Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Bolaji Akinola, disclosed this in a statement obtained on Sunday.
According to the statement, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, made the disclosure during a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, in Abuja on Thursday, where both parties reaffirmed their commitment to deeper collaboration on maritime security and sustainable ocean governance.
Oyetola commended the European Union for its continued partnership with Nigeria, particularly its support for maritime stability in the Gulf of Guinea, which remains vital to regional economic development and global shipping.
READ ALSO:FG Begins $100M 20MW Power Projects In Kogi
He noted that WASOP offers a timely opportunity to “strengthen coordinated action against illegal fishing, improve ocean governance, and promote sustainable exploitation of marine resources across West Africa.”
According to the minister, Nigeria is prepared to actively participate in the programme to secure technical and financial support that would enhance enforcement capabilities and advance the country’s blue economy agenda.
He warned that illegal fishing continues to pose serious risks to marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods, depleting fish stocks, undermining food security and weakening the economic base 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 dismantle these illicit operations and safeguard our waters permanently,” Oyetola said.
The minister also highlighted ongoing reforms under the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, which focuses on innovation, private sector investment and sustainable use of ocean resources.
He pointed to improvements in port operations, logistics and maritime security, adding that Nigeria is expanding efforts to develop maritime infrastructure and boost its competitiveness in global trade.
Oyetola further called for broader international cooperation beyond anti-piracy efforts, urging development partners to assist Nigeria in addressing environmental crimes, human trafficking and illegal fishing through a coordinated approach.
He also sought increased technical support from the European Union in areas such as surveillance systems, fisheries monitoring and enforcement capacity to strengthen Nigeria’s response to IUU fishing in the Gulf of Guinea.
Earlier, Ambassador Gautier Mignot reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to deepening maritime cooperation with Nigeria and supporting regional initiatives aimed at ensuring safer and more sustainable oceans.
He explained that WASOP, a major EU-funded initiative, is designed to promote integrated ocean governance, sustainable fisheries management and the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems across West Africa.
According to him, the programme will improve cooperation among coastal states, strengthen enforcement systems and support the development of a more inclusive and sustainable blue economy across the region.
The €59m programme, funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with Expertise France, is expected to run from 2024 to 2029 across 13 West African countries to promote a climate-resilient blue economy.