…Calls for Stronger Regional Cooperation, Global Support to Protect Marine Resources
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to protecting Africa’s oceans, strengthening maritime security and advancing the blue economy as a pathway for sustainable development across the continent.
The President stated this on Tuesday in Mombasa, Kenya, at the 11th edition of the Our Ocean Conference, where he was represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
Tinubu, while addressing world leaders, ministers and delegates at the conference, expressed Nigeria’s appreciation to the Government and people of Kenya for hosting the global gathering and acknowledged the leadership of President William Ruto in advancing ocean sustainability.
He said the conference reflected a shared commitment by nations to preserve the oceans as a common heritage for present and future generations.
The President described Nigeria as a major maritime nation with extensive coastal waters and a strategic position in the Gulf of Guinea, stressing that ocean resources remain central to food security, trade, energy development and livelihoods.
“For Nigeria, the ocean is not only a source of prosperity but also a pillar of sovereignty, security and climate resilience,” Tinubu said.
He noted that the health of the oceans directly influences the stability and economic prosperity of Africa, urging stronger cooperation among coastal states to protect marine resources.
On ocean governance and sovereignty, the President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international frameworks guiding responsible use of ocean resources.
He called for increased African collaboration to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, describing the practice as a threat to food security and economic stability.
Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria continues to strengthen maritime domain awareness and surveillance capabilities to protect its territorial waters.
Speaking on the blue economy, the President said Nigeria had developed a National Blue Economy Action Plan aimed at harnessing opportunities in fisheries, shipping, maritime tourism and renewable energy.
He called for greater access to financing and technology transfer to enable African coastal countries to maximize the benefits of ocean-based industries.
On climate change and ocean health, Tinubu highlighted the vulnerability of coastal communities to rising climate impacts, pledging that Nigeria would expand marine protected areas by 2030 and intensify mangrove restoration efforts.
He also appealed for international support to tackle marine pollution, particularly plastic waste, which he said poses serious threats to ecosystems and coastal livelihoods.
Addressing maritime security challenges, the President highlighted Nigeria’s role in the Yaoundé Architecture for Gulf of Guinea security and called for enhanced regional cooperation through joint patrols, intelligence sharing and coordinated security frameworks.
He said maritime security was directly linked to food security, trade facilitation and peacebuilding.
Tinubu announced that Nigeria had successfully degraded piracy activities in the Gulf of Guinea, removing a major obstacle to freedom of navigation and maritime commerce in the region.
“Nigeria has successfully degraded piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, thereby removing a major impediment to freedom of navigation and shipping in the region,” he stated.
The President further welcomed partnerships with Kenya and other African coastal nations, as well as collaboration with development institutions, the private sector and civil society to mobilize sustainable financing for ocean initiatives.
He emphasized the importance of involving women and young people in ocean governance to ensure inclusive decision-making and sustainable management of marine resources.
Tinubu said Nigeria came to the Mombasa conference with a clear commitment to collective action, maritime sovereignty, security and shared prosperity.
“Our ocean is our heritage and its future depends on collective action. We stand ready to lead, to collaborate and to contribute to building a continent where maritime sovereignty is respected, security is guaranteed and prosperity is shared,” he said.
The President urged participating countries to work together to ensure that the ocean remains a source of life, peace and opportunity for future generations.