Oyetola Urges EU Action on Gulf Maritime Crimes

On Thursday, Minister Adegboyega Oyetola called for deeper collaboration with the European Union to address emerging maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea, particularly illegal fishing and environmental crimes. Speaking in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the EU evaluating the Gulf of Guinea Inter-Region Network Project, Oyetola highlighted the evolving security challenges in the region that require integrated and sustainable responses anchored in strong international partnerships.

Special Adviser Dr. Bolaji Akinola disclosed that the EU-led mission aims to assess the program's performance and identify lessons for future maritime security initiatives. Oyetola reiterated Nigeria's commitment to the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Security, describing it as a vital platform for regional cooperation and intelligence exchange.

He acknowledged the impact of improved information-sharing systems among maritime stakeholders and stressed the importance of sustaining and optimizing these operations. Oyetola also noted the success of the Deep Blue Project in significantly reducing piracy and armed robbery at sea in recent years.