Oyetola raises alarm over ocean pollution, illegal fishing

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has expressed concerns about the devastating impact of pollution and illegal fishing on the country’s oceans and seas. Speaking at an event to mark the World Maritime Day 2025, Oyetola emphasized the urgent need for collective action to protect the marine ecosystem. The theme of this […]

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has expressed concerns about the devastating impact of pollution and illegal fishing on the country’s oceans and seas.

Speaking at an event to mark the World Maritime Day 2025, Oyetola emphasized the urgent need for collective action to protect the marine ecosystem.

The theme of this year event is “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.” 

This is just as the Minister announced the country’s readiness to reclaim its seat in Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council. 

“Our oceans are facing mounting threats from pollution, illegal fishing, and climate change,” Oyetola warned.

“The consequences of inaction will be catastrophic, not just for the environment, but for human livelihoods and the economy,” he said.

The Minister while emphasizing Nigeria’s determination to protect its ocean resources and unlocking the vast economic potential of the blue economy, described the ocean as humanity’s lifeline.

Oyetola warned that the resource that produces up to 80 per cent of the Earth’s oxygen and carries more than 80 percent of global trade is under severe threat from pollution, overfishing, climate change and neglect.

“The ocean produces between 50 and 80 percent of the Earth’s oxygen, provides food and livelihoods for billions, and carries more than 80 percent of global trade. Yet it is under mounting threat — from pollution, overfishing, climate change and neglect,” he declared. “The message is clear: we must be stewards, not exploiters.”

Speaking further, the Minister said Nigeria is determined to enforce sustainable fishing practices, tackle marine pollution, safeguard biodiversity and strengthen maritime safety and security. 

“At the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, we remain committed to advancing marine governance, modernising port infrastructure, and deepening regional and international partnerships for ocean preservation. Considerable progress has been made in these areas, and I commend the various agencies under our Ministry, alongside stakeholders across the sector, for their steadfast contributions to the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

The minister seized the occasion to reaffirm Nigeria’s intention to return to the IMO Council, insisting that the country is overdue to reclaim its rightful place in shaping decisions that govern the global maritime industry.

“It is in this spirit that Nigeria seeks a return to Category C of the IMO Council. Our country has long been a key player in the global maritime industry, and it is time to assume our rightful place in shaping the decisions that guide it,” he declared.

Adding weight to the minister’s declaration, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, in his goodwill message called for stronger partnerships and increased financing for ocean health. 

He lamented that Sustainable Development Goal 14, which focuses on life below water, remains one of the most poorly funded globally with an annual financing gap of about $150 billion.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, also reinforced the call for collective action to protect the ocean. Dantsoho described the ocean as the backbone of global trade and a critical driver of economic development, noting that over 90 percent of global trade—accounting for nearly half of the world’s economic output—depends on maritime transport. “This theme aptly captures the increased responsibility placed on each and everyone of us as stakeholders in the maritime industry to take frontline ownership of the ocean, on whose sustainability the very sustenance of humanity rests,” he said.

Dr. Dantsoho who was represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Engr. Olalekan Badmus, acknowledged the studies showing that sea transport is the most environmentally friendly of all transport modes.