An Original Examination of the Geopolitics of Maritime Security Governance in the Gulf of Guinea: Theory and Nigerian Strategic Implications

The Gulf of Guinea maritime security environment involves an intersection of flag state, coastal state, port state, and regional organisation interests that creates a complex multi-level governance architecture with significant implications for Nigerian maritime strategy. This study conducts an original theoretical examination of the geopolitical dynamics of maritime security governance in the Gulf of Guinea, with specific focus on Nigeria's strategic interests and governance contributions. The research employs a critical geopolitics theoretical framework combined with a process-tracing methodology applied to the negotiation and implementation of the Yaounde Code of Conduct, the development of the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy, and Nigeria's bilateral and multilateral maritime security engagements over the period 2013 to 2024. Data sources include diplomatic treaty texts, international organisation meeting reports, interviews with eighteen senior naval officers and diplomatic officials, and secondary source analysis. The study develops an original theoretical concept of hegemonic maritime stewardship to describe Nigeria's governance role in Gulf of Guinea maritime security, characterising Nigeria's simultaneous exercise of maritime power projection, institutional norm-setting, and capacity building for neighbouring states. The theoretical contribution advances maritime security governance literature by moving beyond institutional description to theorise the power dynamics and strategic rationale underlying Nigeria's Gulf of Guinea engagement. Policy implications for Nigerian naval strategy and diplomatic positioning are derived from the theoretical analysis. Keywords: Gulf of Guinea, maritime security governance, geopolitics, Yaounde Code of Conduct, Nigerian maritime strategy