NICE, France, June 10, 2025 – The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, on Tuesday, represented Nigeria at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice, France, where he addressed global stakeholders on the impact of climate change and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on Nigeria’s marine environment.
Vice Admiral Ogalla, who was accompanied by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Abdullahi Dewu, delivered a presentation titled “Impact of Climate Change and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in Nigeria: Nigerian Navy Perspective.”
In his address, the Naval Chief emphasized the growing threats posed by climate change and global warming to marine life and coastal communities, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea. He noted that rising sea levels, changing ocean temperatures, and IUU fishing continue to endanger livelihoods and national food security.
He outlined the Nigerian Navy’s ongoing efforts to combat these challenges, including enhanced maritime domain awareness, deployment of advanced surveillance technologies, and inter-agency cooperation. Ogalla stressed the importance of regional and international partnerships in addressing shared maritime threats.
“International collaboration remains critical to preserving our marine ecosystems and ensuring sustainable use of ocean resources,” he said.
Vice Admiral Ogalla also shared the Navy’s future projections, which align with global initiatives for marine conservation and sustainable development. He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to contributing to global efforts to secure the oceans and protect biodiversity.
The CNS expressed appreciation to the conference organizers and the French Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, for extending a hand of partnership to the Nigerian Navy. On the sidelines of the conference, Ogalla held bilateral meetings with his French and Bangladeshi counterparts—Admiral Vaujour and Admiral Mohammed Nazmul Hassan, respectively—to deepen naval cooperation.
The UN Ocean Conference brings together global leaders, naval officials, scientists, and environmental experts to forge solutions aimed at protecting the world’s oceans and advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water).
, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, on Tuesday, represented Nigeria at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice, France, where he addressed global stakeholders on the impact of climate change and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on Nigeria's marine environment.){kind=link}