Nigeria has made a compelling appeal for the swift ratification of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and a substantial increase in funding for blue economy initiatives, emphasizing the critical need to protect and sustainably manage the world’s oceans. This call was made during the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, which has convened over 120 member states under the theme “Accelerating Action and Mobilising All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean.”
During a national statement delivered by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria highlighted the necessity for urgent and collective global action to ensure the oceans’ health for future generations. Minister Oyetola reiterated Nigeria’s position as a coastal state that recognizes the ocean as a vital resource, offering immense wealth, natural capital, and opportunities for global food security and sustainable livelihoods.
Oyetola stated that Nigeria has already signed the BBNJ Agreement and has initiated its ratification process. He underlined the importance of fully implementing the agreement to achieve the goal of designating at least 30% of the global ocean as Marine Protected Areas by 2030, as stipulated in Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14). However, he warned that achieving this vision requires collective commitment and robust frameworks for monitoring and enforcement.
Demonstrating regional leadership, Nigeria has also collaborated with West African nations to develop a proposal for establishing a highly protected High Seas Marine Protected Area in the convergence zone of the Canary and Guinea Currents. Minister Oyetola expressed Nigeria’s support for the draft Nice Ocean Action Declaration and Plan, urging the global community, particularly investors and development partners, to provide the necessary technical and financial resources to support blue economy initiatives in developing countries.
Oyetola outlined various domestic initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ocean governance, including the adoption of a National Blue Economy Policy, a national roadmap for BBNJ treaty ratification, and policies addressing marine plastic pollution. He emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to tackling transboundary ocean challenges, such as illegal fishing and marine dumping, while calling for enhanced monitoring and data collection.
The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to implementing ocean-related multilateral agreements and urged all nations to take bold actions to protect the oceans and prioritize SDG 14. He stressed that prompt ratification of the BBNJ Agreement and increased funding for blue economy initiatives are essential next steps requiring political will and global cooperation.
This urgent message was echoed by other global leaders at the conference, including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who warned about the unprecedented strain facing the world’s oceans due to climate change and human activities.
Nigeria is represented at the conference by a high-powered delegation, which includes key figures from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and affiliated agencies, reflecting the nation’s commitment to advancing ocean sustainability.