Sanni Marvelous
Nigeria has restated its unwavering commitment to global maritime standards and regional cooperation.
This is aimed at ensuring safer, cleaner, and more sustainable shipping across West and Central Africa.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, made the declaration at the 3rd Bureau of Ministers Meeting of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (Abuja MoU) held in Conakry, Republic of Guinea. The meeting brought together ministers from member states to deliberate on strengthening port state control and improving maritime safety in the region.
Nigeria Commits to Maritime Governance
oyetola reaffirmed that Nigeria remains steadfast in aligning its maritime governance with international best practices, while working collectively with other African nations to promote shared prosperity in global shipping.
“Nigeria’s determination to strengthen maritime safety, environmental protection, and regional cooperation within the framework of the Abuja MoU remains firm,” the Minister said.
He commended the Government and people of the Republic of Guinea for their hospitality and successful hosting of the 15th Port State Control Committee Meeting, which ended a day earlier. According to him, the committee’s technical deliberations offered “valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in port state control across the region.”
Oyetola emphasised that Nigeria has taken concrete steps to enhance maritime administration, including stricter enforcement of port state control measures and the removal of substandard vessels from its waters.
A key highlight of his remarks was the recent approval of Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy by the Federal Executive Council. The new policy, he noted, serves as a comprehensive framework for safer and more sustainable maritime operations, in full alignment with global best practices and the ideals of the Abuja MoU.
“The policy demonstrates Nigeria’s determination to build a thriving blue economy that balances economic growth with ocean health, job creation, and maritime safety,” Oyetola said.
Calling on member states of the Abuja MoU to reinforce their domestic enforcement systems, the Minister warned against allowing the region to become a dumping ground for substandard vessels, stressing that poor compliance could result in “accidents and incidents with far-reaching national, regional, and even global implications.”
He further noted that effective port state control is central to unlocking the full potential of the blue economy, particularly in a region where most ships calling at ports are foreign-flagged.
Oyetola explained that the Bureau of Ministers would review and endorse the outcomes of the 15th Port State Control Committee Meeting to ensure that maritime officers are fully empowered to perform their statutory duties. He maintained that the Abuja MoU must continue to serve as a “catalyst for safer shipping practices, stronger compliance, and deeper technical cooperation” among member countries.
Reiterating Nigeria’s readiness to share expertise and collaborate with regional partners, the Minister also urged member states to meet their financial obligations to sustain the Abuja MoU Secretariat. He said such contributions were essential to maintaining the Secretariat’s operational efficiency and regional coordination.
As part of Nigeria’s broader maritime diplomacy, Oyetola used the platform to seek the support of fellow African ministers for Nigeria’s candidature in the forthcoming International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council elections under Category C.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria’s inclusion on the IMO Council would strengthen Africa’s collective voice in global maritime governance and help advance the objectives of the Abuja MoU.
The statement was signed by Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister (Media and Communications), Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, on Saturday, October 12, 2025.
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