By John Moses
Nigeria has made a strong appeal for the rapid ratification of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and increased global investment in blue economy initiatives to ensure the sustainable use of ocean resources.
Speaking at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, stressed the critical need for immediate and coordinated international action to safeguard the health of the world’s oceans for future generations.
Mr Oyetola reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to global environmental frameworks, including the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water), the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. He confirmed that Nigeria had signed the BBNJ Agreement and has initiated the process for national ratification.
He called for at least 30 per cent of the world’s oceans to be designated as Marine Protected Areas by 2030, highlighting the necessity of strong enforcement mechanisms and continuous monitoring to ensure protection efforts are effective.
“As a coastal nation, Nigeria views the ocean not only as a natural resource but also as a foundation for national prosperity, food security, employment, and sustainable livelihoods,” Oyetola said.
Domestically, Nigeria has rolled out several initiatives to support marine conservation and blue economy growth, including the development of a National Blue Economy Policy, a strategic roadmap for implementing the BBNJ treaty, a revised National Biodiversity Strategy, and a marine plastic pollution control policy.
The minister also outlined Nigeria’s commitment to advancing ocean science and maritime safety through hydrographic surveys and detailed Nigeria’s proposal to establish a High Seas Marine Protected Area in the Canary and Guinea Currents Convergence Zone.
He concluded by stressing the need for collaborative action to address illegal fishing, marine dumping, and data gaps, while building regional capacity and improving ocean monitoring systems.
