By Fred Abua
UYO (CONVERSEER) – As Nigeria’s coastal states ramp up efforts to establish a unified framework for border governance, maritime security, and coastal development, Deputy Governors gathered for a high-profile summit.
The inaugural meeting of the Nigeria International Coastal Border Platform was held on Friday, 8th August 2025, at the CEEDAPEG Hotel in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
In a passionate address at the summit, the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey decried the long-standing neglect of the Bakassi Peninsula and its people, describing their condition as an “International, African and National abandonment.”
“We talk about international cooperation, but the people of Bakassi have been left behind, forgotten by both the international community and the Nigerian state,” he said.
“We have our people living as strangers in their own country since 2012 with the ‘unjust and unholy’ ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula. As we speak, that area has been abandoned without any form of international, African or national government support.
“I hope and I pray that part of our deliberations here will look into the plight of the impoverished and forgotten people of the Bakassi Peninsula. May these deliberations here inspire innovative solutions, foster unity and pave the way for a lasting partnership and protect our oceans, respect our borders…”
He further urged the platform to seek “innovative solutions, foster unity, and pave the way for lasting partnerships” in protecting Nigeria’s oceans and border integrity.
The Summit which was earlier declared open by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, had in attendance the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Surv. Adamu Adaji, a representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, members of the National and State Assemblies of coastal states, top government functionaries, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, and featured paper presentations from notable speakers.
The summit concluded with the presentation of a 10-point communiqué by the Chairman of the Platform and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
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The communiqué was jointly signed by the Deputy Governors of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo States. Key resolutions included:
1. Harmonisation of Nigerian laws, including the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, for more effective implementation.
2. Establishment of a community-based surveillance and intelligence-sharing framework involving traditional rulers, women leaders, youth groups, and religious institutions.
3. Promotion of awareness on maritime safety and compliance with national and international maritime laws.
4. Strengthening maritime border governance to address pollution, protect mangrove ecosystems, and prevent economic and environmental degradation.
5. Leveraging the African Integrated Border Governance Strategy and the African Continental Free Trade Zone to enhance cross-border trade.
6. Dedicating a portion of revenue from maritime taxes and crude oil exports to funding coastal security.
7. Investing in maritime transport services to spur economic growth in coastal communities.
8. Integrating climate change resilience into maritime border policies.
9. Expanding social infrastructure in coastal communities.
10. Establishing a cross-border platform for continuous engagement between coastal communities and their neighbours.
The Nigerian International Coastal Border Platform Summit marks a critical step in fostering regional cooperation among Nigeria’s coastal states and lays the foundation for a more inclusive, secure, and sustainable future for the nation’s coastal regions.
