Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed to safeguarding peace, security and stability in the Gulf of Guinea, pledging Nigeria’s continued support for reforms within the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC).
The assurance underscores Nigeria’s determination to maintain leadership in maritime cooperation and reflects Abuja’s strategic interest in protecting its economic and security priorities in the region.
Nigeria has long played a central role in the Gulf of Guinea, where threats such as piracy, smuggling and illegal fishing have posed major security and economic challenges. The country has also been a key driver of the African Union’s 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy, which seeks to secure Africa’s vast maritime domain.
Shettima made the remarks in Abuja when he received the Executive Secretary of the GGC, Mr. Jose Mba Abeso, and his delegation at the State House.
He said: “On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I reaffirm Nigeria’s strong commitment to the objectives of the GGC.
“Nobody can undermine the role of the Commission in fostering cooperation, peace, and sustainable development in the Gulf of Guinea.”
The Vice President stressed that as Africa’s most populous country and largest economy, Nigeria has vested interests to protect and would continue to champion collaborative efforts that ensure the Gulf functions effectively.
“As Africa’s most populous nation and unarguably the largest economy, we have interests to protect, promote, project, and preserve in the Gulf of Guinea. Be reassured that some of the issues you have raised, the President will give them the desired attention. We want the Gulf of Guinea to function effectively,” he said.
Shettima also commended the leadership of the Commission, expressing Nigeria’s “unalloyed commitment to the ideals and objectives of the commission,” while acknowledging its role in fostering regional cooperation.
Earlier, Mr. Abeso urged Nigeria to sustain its leadership role, particularly in strengthening the commission’s reform agenda and expanding membership to include all 19 coastal states along the Gulf of Guinea.
He also underscored the need for regional stakeholders to engage insurance companies on reviewing the high premiums charged on goods transported through the Gulf, arguing that reduced costs would boost trade and economic activities across the subregion.