President Bola Tinubu has called for the prompt ratification of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and a significant increase in funding for blue economy initiatives to ensure the protection and sustainable use of the world’s oceans.
Delivering Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of Tinubu, at the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, emphasised that urgent and collective global action was needed to secure the health of the oceans for future generations.
The conference, which has drawn participation from over 120 member states, is jointly hosted by France and Costa Rica under the theme “Accelerating Action and Mobilising All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean.”
Oyetola, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Bolaji Akinola, and made available to Channels Television on Wednesday, stated that as a coastal state, Nigeria recognised the ocean as a repository of tremendous wealth, natural capital, global food security, employment opportunities, and sustainable livelihoods.
He said that Nigeria was committed to achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14, as well as the African Union Agenda 2063 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
According to him, Nigeria had already signed the BBNJ Agreement and commenced its ratification process, underscoring that the full implementation of the agreement, particularly the goal of designating at least 30 per cent of the global ocean as Marine Protected Areas by 2030, is essential for achieving the goals of SDG 14.
Need for collective commitment
However, Oyetola cautioned that realising this vision would require collective commitment to robust monitoring and enforcement frameworks capable of guaranteeing positive ecological outcomes.
The statement read, “Demonstrating regional leadership, he said Nigeria has also spearheaded efforts among West African nations, validating a regional roadmap for the development of a proposal to designate a highly protected High Seas Marine Protected Area in the Convergence Zone of the Canary and Guinea Currents.
“Aligned with the conference’s overarching theme, Oyetola voiced Nigeria’s support for the adoption of the draft Nice Ocean Action Declaration and Plan, calling on the global community, particularly investors and development partners, to provide both technical expertise and financial resources to support blue economy initiatives in developing nations.
“He stressed that meaningful contributions in blue finance and the transfer of marine science are critical to enable better policymaking and foster sustainable ocean-based sectors.”
The minister further emphasised Nigeria’s resolve to tackle transboundary ocean challenges such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, marine dumping, and the need for enhanced ocean monitoring, stronger data collection, and improved regional capacity for ocean services.
Oyetola also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing ocean-related multilateral agreements and called on all nations to take bold and urgent actions to protect the oceans and prioritise SDG 14 for the sake of future generations.
“He stressed that 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 affirmed that Nigeria remains fully committed to working with all stakeholders to advance shared ocean priorities and urged every state to join in this vital effort,” the statement added.
Channels TV
