Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to peace and security in the Gulf of Guinea.
He assured support for regional reforms and alignment with Africa’s 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to safeguarding peace, security, and stability across the Gulf of Guinea, stressing Nigeria’s backing for ongoing reforms in the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC). He also emphasized the country’s alignment with the African Union’s 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy.
Shettima made this known on Tuesday in Abuja when he received the Executive Secretary of the GGC, Mr. Jose Mba Abeso, and his delegation on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa. He explained that as the continent’s largest economy and most populous country, Nigeria has major interests to uphold in the Gulf of Guinea, ranging from trade to regional influence.
He assured that the concerns raised during the visit would receive President Tinubu’s attention, noting that the federal government is determined to ensure that the commission delivers on its mandate. The Vice President further praised the GGC leadership, pledging Nigeria’s full support for its objectives and long-term vision.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Abeso appealed for Nigeria’s continued backing of the commission’s reform drive, which seeks to expand membership to include all 19 coastal states bordering the Gulf of Guinea. He highlighted that such expansion would strengthen cooperation and enhance regional security.
The Executive Secretary also called for collective engagement with insurance firms to review the costly premiums charged for shipping goods through the Gulf, a burden that hampers trade. Commending Nigeria’s pivotal role in establishing the Combined Maritime Taskforce, Abeso urged Tinubu to work with other regional leaders to fully operationalize the initiative for stronger maritime security.
