By Chimezie Godfrey
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, declaring Nigeria’s readiness to leverage the €59 million West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme (WASOP) to strengthen maritime enforcement and promote sustainable ocean governance.
The minister made the disclosure in Abuja during a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, where both parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation on maritime security, fisheries management and blue economy development.
According to Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Oyetola said the WASOP initiative presents a strategic opportunity for Nigeria to attract technical and financial support aimed at combating illegal fishing, strengthening ocean governance and enhancing sustainable exploitation of marine resources.
Akinola stated that the minister commended the European Union for its longstanding partnership with Nigeria, particularly its support for maritime stability in the Gulf of Guinea, a region that remains vital to international shipping and regional economic growth.
According to him, Oyetola noted that the €59 million programme comes at a critical time when countries in West Africa are seeking stronger regional collaboration to address threats to marine ecosystems and coastal economies.
The minister stressed that illegal fishing continues to pose a significant challenge to Nigeria’s marine environment, food security and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
“Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) 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 depleted and economic livelihoods eroded,” Oyetola said.
He added: “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.”
According to Akinola, the minister also highlighted ongoing reforms being implemented under the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, which is focused on unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s maritime resources through innovation, sustainability and private sector participation.
He noted that recent improvements in port operations, logistics and maritime security have positioned the sector for greater competitiveness, while efforts are underway to expand maritime infrastructure and strengthen Nigeria’s role in global trade.
Oyetola further called for broader international cooperation beyond anti-piracy operations, urging development partners to support Nigeria’s efforts to combat environmental crimes, human trafficking and illegal fishing through integrated security and governance frameworks.
According to Akinola, the minister specifically requested enhanced technical assistance from the European Union in the areas of surveillance technology, fisheries monitoring systems and enforcement capabilities to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to curb IUU fishing across the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Gautier Mignot reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting Nigeria and other West African nations in promoting safer and more sustainable oceans.
The envoy highlighted the West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme as a flagship EU-funded initiative designed to improve integrated ocean governance, strengthen fisheries management and protect coastal and marine ecosystems throughout the region.
According to Mignot, the programme will enhance coordination among coastal states, strengthen enforcement mechanisms and support the development of a more inclusive and sustainable blue economy across West Africa.
The meeting underscored the growing partnership between Nigeria and the European Union in addressing maritime challenges and advancing sustainable development of the region’s vast ocean resources.
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