The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has asked China to support Nigeria’s fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing through modern monitoring tools, satellite tracking and joint enforcement efforts.
Oyetola made the request during a bilateral meeting with China’s Vice Minister of Transport, Mr Li Yang, on the sidelines of maritime engagements in London.
He said addressing IUU fishing was central to Nigeria’s blue economy expansion strategy, noting that stronger technological collaboration with China would help protect fisheries, improve coastal livelihoods and boost maritime security.
He reaffirmed that Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents in its waters over the last four years, noting similar improvements across the Gulf of Guinea due to enhanced surveillance, regional partnerships and the deployment of the Deep Blue security assets.
Oyetola expressed appreciation for China’s continued support, including its pledge to back Nigeria’s IMO Council bid.
He highlighted Nigeria’s interest in expanding cooperation with China in port digitalisation, maritime safety, shipbuilding and repair, inland waterways development, seafarer training, blue economy investments and maritime environmental protection.
China’s Vice Minister of Transport, Mr Li Yang, on his part, noted that China is ready to assist Nigeria in key areas such as smart port infrastructure, cargo-handling automation, digital gate systems, electronic customs processes and advanced maritime communication technologies.
He reaffirmed China’s support for Nigeria in the upcoming International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council election scheduled for Friday, 28 November, and commended the warm, longstanding partnership between the two countries.
Yang praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating a standalone Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a transformative step for Nigeria’s maritime future.
He noted that China operates 52 fully automated ports, among the highest globally, and possesses the expertise required to guide Nigeria’s transition from manual port operations to a fully digitalised system.
