The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for stronger collaboration with the European Union to tackle rising maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea, including illegal fishing, trafficking, and environmental crimes.
Dr. Oyetola made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the European Union Evaluation Mission on the Gulf of Guinea Inter-regional Network (GoGIN II) Project.
He said evolving security challenges in the region require a broader, sustained response anchored on robust international partnerships.
The EU delegation, led by Stéphanie Vergniault, is in Nigeria to conduct an independent assessment of the GoGIN II programme, which supports maritime coordination and information sharing across the Gulf of Guinea.
Dr. Oyetola reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Security, describing it as a vital platform for regional cooperation, intelligence exchange, and collective response.
He acknowledged that EU-backed initiatives like GoGIN II have strengthened the framework by improving maritime domain awareness and fostering collaboration among national and regional agencies.
Highlighting the importance of information sharing, the Minister praised the impact of the YARIS system in enhancing coordination among maritime stakeholders.
He stressed the need to sustain its operational use and improve interoperability between regional centres and national institutions, while continuing capacity building and technical support.
The minister also cited Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project as a national effort that has contributed to a significant reduction in piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea.
He said the project demonstrates the effectiveness of combining national ownership with regional and international support.
As the GoGIN II programme approaches completion, Dr. Oyetola urged stakeholders to consolidate its achievements and ensure long-term sustainability through stronger regional ownership, emphasizing that maintaining these gains is critical for securing maritime activities and supporting economic growth across the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking earlier, Ms Vergniault said the evaluation mission aims to assess the programme’s performance, operational results, and sustainability, while identifying lessons to shape future maritime security initiatives.
She added that the team, which includes Captain Alioune Diop, is engaging Nigerian stakeholders to review the YARIS platform, the programme’s contribution to the Yaoundé Architecture, and ongoing maritime challenges.
Discover more from Trace News Magazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
