Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, joined world leaders and prominent global figures at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco, ahead of the United Nations Oceans Conference set to hold in Nice, France.
The high-level forum, hosted by Prince Albert II of Monaco, attracted international attention with the attendance of notable dignitaries such as Prince William, Prince of Wales, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, alongside hundreds of global delegates from government, finance, science, and civil society.
Under the theme of “Building a Regenerative Blue Economy and Advancing Sustainable Ocean Finance,” discussions focused on urgent, collective efforts needed to protect the world’s oceans, scale up sustainable investments, and align ocean science with policymaking. Delegates explored practical steps to advance SDG 14 (Life Below Water), address climate risks to marine ecosystems, and accelerate the transition to a resilient and inclusive ocean economy.
A statement from Nigeria’s Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy noted that the country’s participation signaled its deepening commitment to global ocean governance, sustainable maritime practices, and climate resilience. The ministry highlighted that the blue economy sector is increasingly vital to Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts and environmental protection goals.
Speaking at the forum on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyetola reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to harness its marine assets responsibly.
“Nigeria remains committed to ensuring the protection and sustainable management of ocean resources. We will continue to champion inclusive, science-driven, and economically viable solutions to build a healthy and productive ocean economy,” the minister said.
On the sidelines of the forum, Oyetola engaged in strategic discussions with international leaders, marine policy experts, and institutional stakeholders to strengthen cooperation in areas such as blue economy development, marine biodiversity conservation, ocean science, and regional capacity building—particularly across West and Central Africa.
His participation not only reinforced Nigeria’s visibility on the global maritime stage but also positioned the country as an active voice ahead of the forthcoming UN Oceans Conference in Nice, where new commitments on expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and climate-smart ocean initiatives are expected to be tabled.
