…pledges crackdown on illegal fishing
Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola (CON), has been elected as the Chairman of the Conference of Ministers of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC).
The election took place on Thursday during the 16th Conference of Ministers of the FCWC, hosted by Nigeria themed “Securing Our Ocean Future: People, Resources, and Commitments,” the conference drew participation from Ministers and senior officials of FCWC member states, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo as well as representatives of regional and international maritime institutions.
In his acceptance speech, Dr Oyetola expressed appreciation for the trust reposed in him and vowed to intensify collective efforts against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which he described as a major threat to the region’s marine sustainability and economic prosperity.
“This menace robs our nations of economic opportunities, threatens our food security, and undermines the livelihoods of millions who depend on the sea,” Oyetola stated.
“Under my chairmanship, I will work collaboratively with all member states to ensure stronger enforcement, better data sharing, and improved governance of our shared marine resources.”
The minister said his leadership would focus on regional cooperation, transparency, and capacity building, stressing that effective ocean governance requires shared responsibility, political will, and coordinated enforcement across national boundaries.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr Oyetola reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional partnerships through the FCWC, noting that the blue economy has become a key pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification drive.
He highlighted government initiatives in port modernisation, maritime security, and aquaculture expansion, aimed at fostering sustainable growth and boosting the marine sector’s contribution to national GDP.
Oyetola also urged FCWC countries to strengthen joint patrols, harmonise regulations, and share real-time intelligence to combat maritime crimes and protect livelihoods across the Gulf of Guinea.
“The outcomes of this conference must translate into actionable measures that strengthen ocean security, enhance economic opportunities, and safeguard the prosperity of future generations,” he said.
The conference also featured technical sessions involving delegates from member states and development partners, who reviewed progress reports and developed new strategies for regional fisheries governance.