Nigeria has called on the international community to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement and substantially increase funding for ocean sustainability and blue economy initiatives, especially in developing nations.

The call was made at the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, where over 120 countries have gathered under the theme “Accelerating Action and Mobilising All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean.”

The event is jointly hosted by France and Costa Rica.

Delivering Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said the health of the oceans demands urgent and collective global action if it is to be preserved for future generations.

“As a coastal state, Nigeria recognises the ocean as a vast repository of wealth, natural capital, global food security, and livelihoods.

“We reaffirm our commitment to SDG 14 and the AU Agenda 2063, and have already signed the BBNJ Agreement and commenced our domestic ratification process,” Oyetola said.

The BBNJ Agreement, sometimes called the “High Seas Treaty”, aims to conserve marine biodiversity in international waters.

Oyetola noted that Nigeria is pushing for at least 30 per cent of global oceans to be designated as Marine Protected Areas by 2030 in line with international goals.