NIGERIA has agreed to serve as the pilot country for the formal implementation of the Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels in West Africa, to combat illegal fishing and strengthen marine governance across the Gulf of Guinea.

The commitment was announced yesterday by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and Chairman of the Conference of Ministers of the oFisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, during a high-level meeting with the organisation’s Secretary-General and secretariat staff in Abuja.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola said Nigeria’s decision to host the pilot phase of the Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels demonstrated its resolve to translate regional leadership into measurable outcomes for sustainable fisheries management.

According to him, the proposal for the Regional Record of Authorised Fishing Vessels will create a verified database of industrial fishing vessels authorised to operate within the maritime zones of FCWC member states, covering both foreign and national fleets.

He said the system was designed to improve transparency, accountability and cross-border cooperation in a region heavily affected by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

Nigeria, he said, expected the pilot phase to test feasibility, identify operational gaps and generate practical lessons for broader regional rollout.

He pledged that Nigeria would use its experience to guide and support other member states once implementation expands, stressing that collective action was essential to protect fisheries resources and livelihoods in the Gulf of Guinea.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation, Oyetola said his tenure as chairman of the FCWC Conference of Ministers would focus on practical outcomes, stronger institutions and sustainable use of ocean resources.

Speaking earlier, the FCWC Secretary-General, Antoine Gaston Djihinto, commended the minister for his commitment to addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and also for boosting fish production in the country.