Nigeria Rallies African Nations on Ocean Security, Sustainable Blue Economy

June 17, () — Nigeria has called for stronger collaboration among African nations to protect marine resources, strengthen ocean security and accelerate the development of a sustainable blue economy, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the oceans for future generations amid growing global environmental concerns.

The position was presented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the 11th edition of the Our Ocean Conference currently taking place in Mombasa, Kenya, from June 16 to June 18, 2026.

The annual Our Ocean Conference brings together global leaders, policymakers, environmental advocates and development partners to deliberate on strategies aimed at protecting marine ecosystems while promoting sustainable use of ocean resources worldwide.

Addressing delegates at the international gathering, Enikanolaiye said Nigeria remains fully committed to advancing responsible ocean governance policies aimed at protecting marine ecosystems while unlocking the vast economic opportunities tied to maritime resources.

Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, the minister expressed appreciation to the Government of Kenya and President William Ruto for hosting the conference and providing a platform for countries to collectively address pressing global challenges affecting oceans and coastal environments.

He noted that Nigeria occupies a strategic maritime position on the African continent, with extensive coastal waters and critical economic interests linked to the Gulf of Guinea, making sustainable ocean management an important national priority.

According to him, the country recognises the growing importance of ocean resources in driving economic development, environmental sustainability and regional stability, particularly as Africa seeks to harness opportunities within the emerging blue economy sector.

Enikanolaiye stressed that no country can tackle growing threats to ocean ecosystems alone, warning that issues such as illegal fishing activities, marine pollution, climate change, biodiversity loss and insecurity in coastal waters require urgent collective action and stronger regional cooperation.

He said African nations must begin to adopt more coordinated approaches toward protecting shared marine resources while strengthening frameworks that promote sustainable fisheries management, environmental conservation and maritime security.

The minister also called for equitable financing mechanisms to support developing coastal nations, arguing that many countries face disproportionate environmental and economic risks linked to ocean degradation despite contributing minimally to the causes of such crises.

He maintained that access to fair funding remains critical for countries seeking to build resilient coastal communities, modernise maritime infrastructure and implement sustainable ocean management strategies.

Nigeria, he said, remains committed to championing Africa’s blue economy agenda through policies that encourage responsible exploitation of marine resources, improved maritime governance and stronger regional partnerships capable of unlocking long-term economic benefits.

He further emphasised that sustainable ocean governance has become increasingly important to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda, particularly in areas such as shipping, fisheries, marine transportation, coastal tourism and offshore resource development.

Enikanolaiye urged the international community to intensify efforts toward preserving oceans as a shared global resource essential for human survival and economic prosperity.

He said the world must work together to ensure that oceans continue to serve as a source of peace, life, and opportunity for both present and future generations.