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In a major boost to Nigeria’s growing influence in maritime governance, the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) has appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, to lead the creation of a comprehensive regional policy on marine and blue economy.
The appointment, announced on Tuesday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, stems from Nigeria’s successful implementation of its historic national policy. The move highlights the country’s leadership in sustainable ocean governance in West and Central Africa.
During a formal meeting in Abuja, Ambassador Obinna Agbugba, Deputy Executive Secretary of the GGC, communicated the decision on behalf of the Commission’s Executive Secretary, José Mba Abeso. Agbugba lauded Oyetola’s stellar achievements and noted that Nigeria’s pioneering framework serves as a vital model for the entire Gulf of Guinea.
Accepting the mandate, formally requested by letter on May 7, 2026, Oyetola expressed gratitude to the intergovernmental body.
“Nigeria remains fully committed to the ideals of regional cooperation, sustainable ocean governance and shared prosperity of the Gulf of Guinea,” Oyetola said.
Acting quickly on the commission’s request, the minister established a multilateral technical committee to develop key projects. These include a strategic plan (2026-2030), a policy framework and a strategic blueprint, in line with the 2025 Yaoundé Declaration and the UN Task Force guidelines.
Presenting the documents to Agbugba, Oyetola proposed a dedicated steering committee, with his ministry acting as the secretariat, to oversee large-scale stakeholder engagement and ensure regional ownership across all nine member states.
Founded in July 2001 and headquartered in Luanda, Angola, the GGC includes Angola, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe. With Oyetola at the helm, the region is poised to unlock the immense economic potential of its shared marine wealth, while protecting its waters from shared transnational threats.
