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By Daniel Adaji
Nigeria has called on world leaders to increase ocean finance and urgently ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement to protect and sustain the world’s oceans.
Speaking at the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, delivered Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, confirmed these remarks in a statement on Wednesday.
“Prompt ratification of the BBNJ Agreement and increased funding for blue economy initiatives are crucial next steps that must be backed by political will, scientific rigor, and global cooperation,” he said.
The Minister emphasised the need for “urgent and collective global action to secure the health of the oceans for future generations.”
He urged developed countries, investors, and international development partners to support blue economy initiatives in developing nations with both technical expertise and financial resources.
The UN Ocean Conference, hosted by France and Costa Rica, brings together over 120 countries under the theme, “Accelerating Action and Mobilising All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean.”
Affirming Nigeria’s commitment, Oyetola said, “Nigeria has already signed the BBNJ Agreement and commenced its ratification process.”
He added that the agreement’s full implementation, particularly the target of designating 30 per cent of global ocean areas as Marine Protected Areas by 2030, was “essential for achieving the goals of SDG 14.”
He warned, however, that “realising this vision will require collective commitment to robust monitoring and enforcement frameworks capable of guaranteeing positive ecological outcomes.”
Oyetola said Nigeria is dedicated to global ocean governance frameworks and domestic reforms, citing the country’s National Blue Economy Policy, the National Policy on Marine Plastic Pollution, and the development of a roadmap for BBNJ implementation.
He noted that these initiatives are part of Nigeria’s effort to “incentivise sustainable diversification into ocean-based industries.”
He also stated that Nigeria had “spearheaded efforts among West African nations” by developing a regional roadmap to propose a High Seas Marine Protected Area in the Convergence Zone of the Canary and Guinea Currents.
“Meaningful contributions in blue finance and the transfer of marine science are critical to enable better policymaking and foster sustainable ocean-based sectors,” he added.