Former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has called on regional and international leaders to confront the security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea to unlock its vast economic potential.
Professor Gambari stated that the region, rich in oil, gas, and critical minerals, remains plagued by piracy, oil theft, and illegal fishing, which continue to scare away investors and destabilise communities.
He spoke in New York during a high-level roundtable on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
The diplomat noted that despite the challenges, there was hope, pointing to the decline in piracy in some areas due to improved cooperation.
He highlighted Nigeria’s move to host a Combined Maritime Task Force, approved by the African Union in April 2025, as a sign of renewed political will.
To move from talk to action, Professor Gambari laid down a five-point agenda for the region which included Strengthening of Security Frameworks, Merging of Security with Development, Bringing in the Private Sector, Embracing Technology and Forming a Business Council for the Gulf of Guinea to drive sustained cooperation.
He insisted that for the region to become an economic hub, its natural wealth must be managed transparently to benefit local communities and avoid fuelling grievances.
The Technocrat anchored the plan to broader continental goals like ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the AU’s Agenda 2063, warning that without decisive collective action, the Gulf of Guinea’s promise would remain unfulfilled.
