The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, on Wednesday received the French Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Marc Fonbaustier, at his office in Abuja. The visit highlighted growing maritime and diplomatic cooperation between Nigeria and France.
The meeting came amid Nigeria’s intensified campaign for election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, a priority that Minister Oyetola underscored during discussions.
Ambassador Fonbaustier was accompanied by Ms Alice Ellenbogen, Political Counsellor at the French Embassy, and both parties discussed Nigeria’s involvement in the upcoming World Oceans Day and the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), scheduled to take place in Nice, France, from 8 to 13 June 2025. Minister Oyetola will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the conference on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
During the meeting, Minister Oyetola formally solicited France’s support for Nigeria’s IMO Council bid, stressing the country’s role as the foremost maritime nation in West and Central Africa and its strategic position along the Gulf of Guinea. He highlighted Nigeria’s substantial contributions to maritime safety, regional security, and global ocean governance. He noted that Nigeria’s inclusion in the IMO Council would further enhance international cooperation on sustainable maritime regulation particularly vital in today’s climate of global marine challenges.
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The Minister informed the French delegation of the Federal Executive Council’s recent approval of Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy. The policy provides a comprehensive framework for the sustainable use of marine resources, economic development, job creation, and environmental protection. It aligns with global ocean priorities and directly supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14: conserving and sustainably using oceans, seas, and marine resources.
Oyetola also drew attention to Nigeria’s progress in maritime security, particularly in tackling piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. Through initiatives such as the Deep Blue Project and inter-agency cooperation, he noted, piracy and sea robbery have been significantly curtailed, making the Gulf a safer corridor for international maritime trade.
Discussions further covered preparations for World Oceans Day and UNOC3. Building on the achievements of the 2017 and 2022 editions, the 2025 conference co-chaired by France and Costa Rica will focus on “Accelerating Action and Mobilising All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean.” The event aims to deliver concrete commitments, mobilise scientific solutions, and attract financing for sustainable ocean governance.
Minister Oyetola reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to the conference and its continued commitment to global collaboration in promoting ocean health, maritime security, and innovation in the blue economy. He also expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu for his confidence and the opportunity to represent Nigeria on the global stage.
In response, Ambassador Fonbaustier commended President Tinubu’s decision to participate in UNOC3 and praised Minister Oyetola’s leadership. He reaffirmed France’s eagerness to deepen collaboration with Nigeria on marine sustainability, maritime security, and development.
The meeting marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s maritime diplomacy and highlights the critical role of international partnerships as global stakeholders prepare for UNOC3 in Nice.
