Oyetola Seeks Stronger EU Partnership to Combat Maritime Crimes

Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for enhanced collaboration with the European Union to tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing as well as other maritime crimes plaguing the Gulf of Guinea.

Speaking during an engagement with European stakeholders, Oyetola stressed that deeper cooperation is essential to strengthen maritime security, protect marine resources, and safeguard the economies of coastal states.

The minister identified IUU fishing as a significant threat to Nigeria and its neighbours, noting that it contributes to economic losses, environmental degradation, and insecurity within the maritime domain. He further observed that such illegal activities are frequently linked to broader transnational crimes, including smuggling and piracy.

To effectively address these challenges, Oyetola called for improved intelligence sharing, enhanced surveillance systems, and joint enforcement operations between Nigeria and EU partners. He emphasized that a coordinated approach is vital to securing the region’s waters and ensuring the sustainable development of the blue economy.