A former Nigerian External Affairs Minister, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has urged regional and international leaders to take action to fight insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea as a means of unblocking the vast economic potential of the region.
Speaking at a high-level roundtable on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Gambari noted that the region that is rich in resources oil, gas, and strategic minerals is yet to be plagued by piracy, oil theft, and pirate fishing that deters investments and destabilizes communities.
Although acknowledging improvement with increased naval collaboration, Gambari reiterated the need to move “from talk to action,” laying out a five-point agenda: strengthening security architecture, harmonizing security and development, activating the private sector, taking on technology, and creating a Gulf of Guinea business council.
He cited the fact that Nigeria hosted a Combined Maritime Task Force, approved by the African Union in April 2025, as proof of increased political will. Gambari also underscored the necessity of handling natural wealth in an open way to benefit the interests of host communities and prevent grievances.
“Economic opportunity, if matched with inclusive governance, is in itself a potent disincentive for insecurity,” he averred, grounding his call on broader continental ambitions such as ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the AU Agenda 2063.
There is a last and pressing measure, in his opinion, to save the Gulf of Guinea from squandering its natural riches to be a resource for sustainable development and inclusive growth.
