Oyetola to Lead Gulf of Guinea's Blue Economy Policy

The Gulf of Guinea Commission has appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, to lead the creation of a comprehensive regional Policy on Marine and Blue Economy. This appointment was announced in Abuja by the minister’s Special Adviser, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, following Nigeria's successful implementation of its national policy.

Ambassador Obinna Agbugba, Deputy Executive Secretary of the GGC, communicated this decision on behalf of Executive Secretary Mr. José Mba Abeso, praising Oyetola's achievements. Oyetola accepted the mandate, which was formally requested via a letter dated May 7, 2026, and expressed Nigeria's commitment to regional cooperation and sustainable ocean governance.

He established a multi-stakeholder technical committee to draft foundational blueprints, including a Strategic Plan (2026–2030) and a Policy Framework and Strategy Template, aligning with the 2025 Yaoundé Declaration and UN Task Force guidelines. Oyetola proposed a Steering Committee to oversee stakeholder engagement across the nine member states of the GGC.