Nigeria’s Federal Government has called for enhanced collaboration with the European Union to address the rising threats of illegal fishing and maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea. The appeal was made by Adegboyega Oyetola during a meeting with an EU Evaluation Mission delegation in Abuja.
Oyetola emphasized that the increasing cases of illegal fishing, trafficking, and environmental crimes require sustained international cooperation, particularly in intelligence sharing and maritime surveillance. He noted that the complexity of security challenges in the region makes it critical for Nigeria and its partners to strengthen joint efforts.
The EU delegation, led by Stéphanie Vergniault, is currently assessing the EU-funded Gulf of Guinea Inter-regional Network. The initiative focuses on improving coordination and information sharing among countries in the region to enhance maritime security.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Security, Oyetola described it as a vital mechanism for collective response and intelligence exchange. He also commended the YARIS information-sharing system for strengthening collaboration among maritime stakeholders, while urging its continued optimization.
The minister further highlighted the success of Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project, which has significantly reduced piracy and armed robbery at sea in recent years. He stressed that combining national initiatives with regional and international partnerships is key to sustaining progress.
With the GoGIN II programme approaching completion, Oyetola called on stakeholders to consolidate achievements, reinforce regional ownership, and ensure long-term sustainability. He noted that securing the maritime domain is essential not only for safety but also for boosting economic activities across the Gulf of Guinea.
Vergniault stated that the evaluation mission aims to review the programme’s effectiveness, outcomes, and sustainability, while also gathering stakeholder feedback on the YARIS platform and persistent challenges within the maritime sector.
