Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has emphasised the state’s strategic position in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), describing it as a hub of untapped opportunities for investment, security, and sustainable growth.
Speaking at the Nigerian Mission House in New York during a high-level discourse on the Gulf of Guinea, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Governor Diri said Bayelsa’s geographical advantage along the oil-rich corridor gives it unique prospects in energy, maritime, aviation, and mineral development.
The event, themed “Unlocking Energy, Oil/Gas, Mineral Resources, Aviation and Maritime Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea: A Roadmap for Peace and Security”, was organised by policy think tank The New Diplomat in collaboration with the Angola-based Gulf of Guinea Commission.
Highlighting Bayelsa’s 200km coastline, Diri noted that the state is positioned for oil and gas exports, fisheries, coastal trade, and tourism. He stressed that his government is committed to providing a transparent environment for investors while safeguarding fragile ecosystems.
On insecurity in the Gulf, particularly piracy, Diri revealed that Bayelsa has pioneered community-based security strategies, enhanced collaboration with the Navy and Police, and launched initiatives with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Germany, leading to notable successes such as the rescue of kidnapped victims in 2022.
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UNODC Executive Director, Ghada Waly, echoed the call for stronger security, warning that corruption and organised crime continue to undermine the region, with Nigeria alone losing over $40 billion in illicit financial flows over the past decade.
The dialogue also featured former Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, Solid Minerals Minister Dele Alake, and global diplomats, all advocating deeper cooperation through the proposed Gulf of Guinea Business Council to unlock the region’s full economic potential.
