Nigeria calls for prompt ratification of agreement to protect oceans, increase funding to developing nations

Oyetola

By KEMI KAYODE

At the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, Nigeria has made a strong call 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 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, emphasised that urgent and collective global action is 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.”

Speaking on Nigeria’s position, Minister Oyetola stated that as a coastal state, Nigeria recognizes the ocean as a repository of tremendous wealth, natural capital, global food security, employment opportunities, and sustainable livelihoods. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14, as well as the African Union Agenda 2063 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

He announced that Nigeria has 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 percent of the global ocean as Marine Protected Areas by 2030, is essential for achieving the goals of SDG 14. However, he cautioned that realising this vision will require collective commitment to robust monitoring and enforcement frameworks capable of guaranteeing positive ecological outcomes.