Nigeria's Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, urged West and Central African nations to deepen regional collaboration and boost investment in the fisheries sector during a summit in Monrovia on Monday. Speaking as chairman of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, Oyetola emphasized the need for coordinated policies to combat illegal fishing, improve fish stock sustainability, and expand economic opportunities in coastal communities. He noted that the blue economy contributes significantly to regional GDP but remains underfunded and poorly integrated across borders. Oyetola called on development partners and private investors to support infrastructure upgrades, cold chain systems, and capacity-building programs for local fishers. He also highlighted Nigeria's ongoing efforts to modernize its fishing industry through regulatory reforms and port surveillance enhancements. The summit brought together fisheries ministers, technical experts, and stakeholders from across the subregion to discuss joint strategies for managing shared marine resources. Oyetola reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to regional data sharing and joint enforcement initiatives aimed at curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The meeting concluded with plans to establish a subregional action framework by the end of the year, pending endorsement by ECOWAS and ECCAS.
When Oyetola pushes for regional investment and cooperation, it signals Nigeria's attempt to position itself as the lead enforcer in Gulf of Guinea fisheries management — a role long dominated by foreign-backed initiatives. His focus on infrastructure and surveillance reveals an understanding that economic control of Nigeria's waters hinges not just on policy, but on tangible, on-water presence. Without real-time monitoring and cross-border coordination, illegal fishing will continue to drain billions from local economies. This move isn't just about fish — it's about asserting maritime sovereignty in a region where weak oversight has long invited exploitation.
