Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has been elected chairman of the Conference of Ministers of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC).
Upon his election, Oyetola pledged to deepen regional collaboration to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing across West Africa’s maritime corridor, describing the practice as a major threat to economic stability, food security, and the sustainability of marine resources.
In a statement signed by Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister, the election took place during the 16th Conference of Ministers of the FCWC, hosted by Nigeria in Lagos under the theme “Securing Our Ocean Future: People, Resources, and Commitments.”
The meeting brought together ministers and senior officials from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo, alongside regional and international partners.
“Together, we must put an end to the scourge of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in our waters.
“This menace robs our nations of economic opportunities, threatens our food security, and undermines the livelihoods of millions who depend on the sea. Under my chairmanship, I will work collaboratively with all Member States to ensure stronger enforcement, better data sharing, and improved governance of our shared marine resources,” Oyetola stated.
The minister said his tenure would focus on regional cooperation, transparency, and capacity building, stressing that effective ocean governance requires political will, coordinated enforcement, and shared responsibility.
Oyetola appreciated his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him and vowed to build on the committee’s achievements to strengthen regional fisheries governance and tackle marine resource depletion.
He further underscored President Tinubu administration’s vision of the blue economy as a strategic driver for economic diversification and sustainable growth, with ongoing reforms in port modernisation, maritime security, aquaculture expansion, and institutional coordination.
“Our sub-region is richly endowed with marine resources that support livelihoods, food security, trade, and cultural identity for millions of our people.
“Yet these resources face growing pressures from IUU fishing, maritime insecurity, pollution, and the far-reaching impacts of climate change. These are challenges that no nation can overcome in isolation; they demand sustained regional collaboration, political will, and shared responsibility.”
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He called on FCWC member states to deepen joint patrols, harmonise maritime regulations, and promote real-time intelligence sharing to strengthen enforcement mechanisms across borders.
“At the regional level, cooperation remains our greatest strength. The outcomes of this conference must translate into actionable measures that strengthen ocean security, enhance economic opportunities, and safeguard the prosperity of future generations,” Oyetola added.
The Lagos conference, which preceded a series of technical sessions involving FCWC delegates and development partners, deliberated on progress reports and new initiatives to improve regional fisheries governance and maritime sustainability.
The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) plays a vital role in coordinating fisheries management and combating IUU fishing across member nations, a challenge that costs the region hundreds of millions of dollars annually in lost revenue and depleted resources.
