By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for stronger bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and promote sustainable fisheries management in the West Central Gulf of Guinea.
Oyetola made the call on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, during a meeting with Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Hon. Emelia Arthur, in Accra, Ghana.
The meeting focused on strengthening fisheries governance, improving information-sharing and enhancing regional efforts to protect shared fisheries resources.
Oyetola, who is also President of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), described IUU fishing as a shared challenge with serious implications for food security, government revenue and the livelihoods of fishing communities.
He stressed that closer collaboration between both countries would strengthen the regional response to illegal fishing and promote the sustainable management of marine resources.
The minister highlighted Nigeria’s pilot implementation of the Regional Record of Authorized Fishing Vessels as a platform for improving cooperation with Ghana, particularly in verifying vessel authorizations and exchanging relevant information.
He proposed that technical teams from both countries work together to identify discrepancies in vessel authorisation records and establish procedures for resolving them to improve transparency, compliance and fisheries monitoring.
“Our shared interest is to protect fisheries resources, expand sustainable production and strengthen the livelihoods of our people. Nigeria remains committed to working with Ghana towards these objectives,” Oyetola said.
In her response, Arthur commended Nigeria’s efforts in combating piracy and its achievements in the Marine and Blue Economy sector.
She reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to tackling IUU fishing and pledged full cooperation with Nigeria to address the challenge.
Arthur also disclosed that Ghana had developed its own Marine and Blue Economy policy and sought Nigeria’s support in sharing knowledge and experience, citing Nigeria’s pioneering efforts in developing such a policy framework.
The request highlights opportunities for both countries to strengthen policy collaboration and promote sustainable ocean governance and fisheries development.
As part of his visit, Oyetola also met with the Secretary-General of the FCWC, Dr. Antoine Djihinto, and other officials at the committee’s secretariat in Tema, Ghana.
He commended the secretariat for its achievements over the past year and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with other member states to strengthen regional fisheries governance and eliminate IUU fishing.
The minister emphasized that coordinated monitoring, control and surveillance, improved information-sharing and effective implementation of regional initiatives were essential to protecting fisheries resources and ensuring their long-term sustainability.
The FCWC comprises six member countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo. It provides a framework for regional cooperation in fisheries management, maritime security and sustainable fishing practices across the West Central Gulf of Guinea.
The engagements reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening regional partnerships and advancing a sustainable Marine and Blue Economy to support food security, economic growth and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
