Fisheries Diplomacy and Nigeria’s Maritime Boundary Disputes in the Gulf of Guinea

This study examines Nigeria's management of maritime boundary disputes and fisheries rights in the Gulf of Guinea, assessing how diplomacy, international law, and domestic enforcement capacity interact to protect Nigeria's maritime economic interests. The Gulf of Guinea is one of Africa's most productive maritime zones, with significant fish stocks, offshore oil deposits, and shipping lanes. Nigeria shares contested maritime boundaries with Cameroon, Benin Republic, and Equatorial Guinea, and has engaged in multiple diplomatic and legal processes to demarcate these boundaries. Drawing on the Law of the Sea and maritime security frameworks, this research analyses Nigeria's engagement with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and bilateral fisheries agreements from 2019 to 2024. The study employs a qualitative methodology, relying on treaty analysis, Nigerian Navy reports, FAO fisheries data, and semi-structured interviews with officials from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). The South South geopolitical zone, particularly the coastlines of Rivers, Delta, and Cross River states, forms the primary geographical focus. Findings are expected to show that Nigeria has made progress in formal boundary demarcation but faces acute challenges in maritime surveillance and enforcement that undermine the practical value of legal agreements. Recommendations address maritime security investment and regional cooperation frameworks. Keywords: fisheries diplomacy, maritime boundary, Nigeria, Gulf of Guinea, Law of the Sea.