L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Mahmood; Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola; Head of the European Union Evaluation Mission on the Gulf of Guinea Inter-regional Network (GoGIN II) Project, Ms Stéphanie Vergniault, and a member of the mission, Captain Alioune Diop, when the EU Evaluation Mission on the GoGIN II Project visited the Minister in his office in Abuja on Thursday
Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for enhanced collaboration with the European Union to combat illegal fishing, trafficking, and other maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
Oyetola made the call on Thursday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the EU Evaluation Mission on the Gulf of Guinea Inter-regional Network (GoGIN II) Project. He stressed that the region’s evolving maritime security challenges demand a more coordinated, sustained, and globally supported response.
The delegation, led by Stéphanie Vergniault, is in Nigeria to conduct an independent assessment of the EU-funded initiative aimed at strengthening maritime coordination and information sharing across the Gulf of Guinea.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Security, the minister described it as a critical platform for collective action, intelligence exchange, and regional cooperation. He noted that EU-supported programmes like GoGIN II have significantly enhanced maritime domain awareness and collaboration among national and regional agencies.
Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola (right) and the Head of the European Union Evaluation Mission on the Gulf of Guinea Inter-regional Network (GoGIN II) Project, Ms Stéphanie Vergniault (left) during the visit.
Oyetola also highlighted the impact of the YARIS information-sharing system in improving coordination among maritime stakeholders, while calling for its continued optimisation. He emphasised the need for greater interoperability between regional centres and national institutions, alongside sustained capacity building and technical support.
On Nigeria’s domestic efforts, the minister pointed to the success of the Deep Blue Project, which he said has contributed to a notable decline in piracy and armed robbery at sea in recent years.
He added that the achievement underscores the value of combining national initiatives with regional and international partnerships.
As the GoGIN II programme approaches completion, Oyetola urged stakeholders to consolidate its gains and ensure long-term sustainability through stronger regional ownership. He stressed that preserving these achievements is vital for securing the maritime domain and boosting economic activities in the Gulf of Guinea.
Earlier, Vergniault said the evaluation mission is assessing the programme’s performance, outcomes, and sustainability, while identifying lessons to guide future maritime security interventions. She added that the team is engaging key stakeholders in Nigeria to gather feedback on the YARIS platform, its role within the Yaoundé Architecture, and ongoing challenges in the maritime sector.