Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reiterated the country’s commitment to enhancing maritime cooperation with The Gambia to strengthen regional security and promote economic growth across West Africa.
At the Fourth Blue Economy Conference in Banjul, Gambia, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), delivered the minister’s remarks, emphasising Nigeria’s commitment to advancing maritime security beyond its territorial waters.
This initiative is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to foster sustainable blue economy development and reinforce partnerships with neighbouring countries, particularly across the Gulf of Guinea.
Dr. Mobereola revealed that discussions are currently underway to extend the operations of Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project, a comprehensive maritime security initiative, to cover a wider area within the Gulf of Guinea.
“Nigeria remains committed to stabilising, fostering cooperation, and promoting sustainable development through the blue economy. We are dedicated to ensuring safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea region. Given the recent disruption in global trade caused by the crisis in the Suez Canal, there has been a surge in shipping traffic around Africa. To address this, Nigeria is working towards extending the operational coverage of its Deep Blue assets to further enhance maritime security,” said Dr. Mobereola.
In addition to regional maritime cooperation, Dr. Mobereola urged delegates at the conference to support Nigeria’s candidacy for re-election to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2026-2027 biennium, under Category ‘C’.
“Nigeria has formally declared its candidacy for the IMO Council election under Category ‘C’ for the 2026-2027 term. We seek the kind support and vote of member states of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) in the forthcoming election at the 34th IMO Assembly Session. Nigeria’s representation in the IMO Council will strengthen Africa’s voice in global maritime decision-making, particularly in areas related to the blue economy, maritime safety and security, and environmental sustainability, given the volume of trade conducted in our region,” Dr. Mobereola stated.
Dr. Mobereola also highlighted Nigeria’s success in maritime security, noting the country’s effective implementation of the Deep Blue Project, which has contributed to zero piracy incidents in Nigerian waters for the past three years. Both the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) and the IMO have recognised Nigeria’s efforts, commending the country for its role in safeguarding maritime trade routes.
Nigeria continues to strengthen strategic partnerships, improve maritime security, and advance the shared economic interests of West and Central African nations through sustainable blue economy initiatives.
