Nigeria to Participate in Global Ocean Summit as Tinubu Names Enikanolaiye to Lead Delegation
Oru Leonard
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has designated the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, to represent Nigeria at the 11th edition of the Our Ocean Conference (OOC11) taking place in Mombasa from June 16 to 18, 2026.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, Ambassador Enikanolaiye will lead Nigeria’s delegation to the global conference, which is being hosted at the PrideInn Paradise Resort in the Kenyan coastal city.
The Our Ocean Conference, launched in 2014, has become one of the world’s foremost platforms for advancing sustainable ocean governance, bringing together governments, private sector players, civil society organisations, academics and coastal communities to promote concrete actions aimed at protecting marine ecosystems and supporting blue economy development.
The ministry noted that this year’s conference is taking place against the backdrop of mounting environmental and security challenges affecting the world’s oceans, including climate change, marine pollution, illegal fishing activities and inadequate marine conservation measures.
With 38 African countries bordering oceans and seas, and the continent’s blue economy providing livelihoods for more than 50 million people, stakeholders are expected to focus on strategies for sustainable ocean management, climate resilience, maritime security and economic development.
The three-day event will feature high-level discussions involving heads of state, ministers and global policymakers, alongside investment forums, donor roundtables and public-private partnership engagements aimed at mobilising resources for ocean sustainability initiatives.
Other activities lined up include youth leadership forums, women-focused blue economy platforms, innovation and technology exhibitions showcasing ocean-related solutions, as well as thematic workshops and regional cooperation dialogues.
Nigeria is expected to use the platform to highlight its efforts as a major maritime nation in Africa, particularly in the areas of blue economy development, climate action, ocean health, maritime security and regional cooperation within the Gulf of Guinea.
The country’s participation is expected to reinforce its commitment to sustainable management of marine resources while advancing economic opportunities linked to the ocean sector.
The statement was signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
