An environmental expert, Professor Babajide Alo, says Nigeria stands to benefit significantly from the economic and environmental opportunities offered by the newly adopted international ocean treaty.
Alo shared this insight during an interview on Sunday in Lagos.
He explained that the treaty would support sustainable use of ocean resources, create jobs, and open Nigeria to global benefit-sharing mechanisms.
The recently signed ocean treaty, formally known as the High Seas Treaty or the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, seeks to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction—covering over 64 percent of the world’s oceans.
The agreement aims to safeguard biodiversity in the two-thirds of the ocean that lie outside national control and is expected to usher in a new era of international ocean governance, promoting sustainable use of marine resources.
Adopted by the United Nations in June 2023 after nearly two decades of negotiations, the treaty has been widely celebrated as a historic milestone.
Alo, Nigeria’s lead negotiator during the treaty talks, described it as a landmark agreement that could revolutionize how the world manages and conserves ocean ecosystems.
“The BBNJ Treaty, also known as the High Seas Treaty, aims to regulate areas beyond national jurisdiction, which make up approximately 75 percent of the world’s oceans,” he said.
“These areas, often referred to as the ‘high seas,’ are vital to human survival, and conserving them is essential for the health of our planet.
“Nigeria played an active role in the negotiations, recognizing the immense benefits of the treaty. These include access to unexplored areas for oil and gas exploration and the utilization of marine biological resources.”
Alo said the treaty provides Nigeria and other signatory nations with opportunities to access and benefit from the vast resources in the high seas.
These include marine genetic resources, which could lead to breakthroughs in medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biotechnology.
“There is no doubt that Nigeria can benefit immensely from the opportunities provided by the ocean. With this treaty now in place—especially through the use of Environmental Impact Assessments—we have a real chance for economic growth tied to sustainable development,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in ensuring responsible use of marine resources while protecting biodiversity.
“If all marine-related activities are carried out with proper EIAs, Nigeria can achieve long-term sustainability in ocean use.”
Alo added that the treaty would bring significant social and economic advantages, including job creation and increased foreign revenue.
“As we implement the treaty’s provisions, there will be demand for professionals to study and cultivate marine genetic resources. The discovery and research of new marine species will feed into multiple industries—particularly medicine and cosmetics—ultimately benefiting Nigeria’s economy.”
He expressed optimism that Nigeria’s leadership would act quickly to ratify the treaty and seize the emerging opportunities.
“We hope our leaders will quickly recognize the potential of this treaty. The benefits go beyond environmental protection—they include new job opportunities and access to revenue from a global fund created as part of the agreement.”
According to him, once Nigeria officially becomes a party to the treaty, it will be eligible to access this international fund, which supports countries that contribute to the implementation of the treaty’s objectives.
“Benefit-sharing is a central element of this treaty. While I can’t quote exact figures now, it could result in millions of dollars in funding and investment,” he said.
Alo also called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s marine policies, especially in curbing marine pollution and illegal fishing.
“We need stronger pollution control measures to ensure cleaner oceans. Illegal fishing in Nigerian waters must be addressed through strict and enforceable policies. Reducing these threats will strengthen our marine economy and preserve our natural resources,” he added.
The High Seas Treaty, adopted under the United Nations framework, aims to conserve and sustainably use marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, ensuring that the benefits of ocean wealth are shared equitably.
