Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, a critical waterway pivotal to the nation’s economic development.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this during a meeting with Secretary-General of the Gulf of Guinea Commission, H.E. José Mba Abeso, and his delegation.
According to her, the Gulf of Guinea remained undoubtedly a critical corridor, pivotal to Nigeria’s economic development.
She also noted that the meeting was centered around evolving a comprehensive strategy to promote a harmonised maritime security architecture and ocean cleanup measures.
She further added that the meeting aimed to optimise operations along the sea lane of commerce, a vital artery to Nigeria’s socio-economic wellbeing.
She said, ”As a littoral state with an extensive coastline and major shipping routes, Nigeria occupies a central position in the Gulf of Guinea Commission and has spearheaded joint naval operations and contributed significantly to regional anti-piracy frameworks.
”And as a major oil producing nation, we depend essentially on the Gulf of Guinea to drive sealinks of commerce and to transport our crude oil and other petroleum products to the global market.
”Our discussions centered around evolving a comprehensive strategy to promote a harmonised maritime security architecture and ocean clean up measures to optimise operations along this sea lane of commerce which remains a vital artery to our nation’s socio-economic wellbeing.”
As a major oil-producing nation, Nigeria depended heavily on the Gulf of Guinea to drive seaborne commerce and transport crude oil and other petroleum products to the global market.
Maritime security is crucial to ensuring the uninterrupted flow of these vital resources.
Nigeria’s efforts to secure the Gulf of Guinea have received international support, with the United Nations commending the country’s leadership role in regional maritime security initiatives ².
President Bola Tinubu has called for the establishment of a combined maritime task force to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea, with Nigeria offering to host the task force headquarters in Lagos.
The initiative underscored Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and collaborative efforts to tackle maritime security challenges.
A comprehensive maritime security initiative aimed at securing Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.
