Oyetola Seeks Stronger State, Private Sector Alliance to Transform Nigeria’s Blue Economy

Oyetola Seeks Stronger State, Private Sector Alliance to Transform Nigeria’s Blue Economy

With Nigeria looking to diversify its economy beyond oil, the Federal Government has intensified efforts to position the marine and blue economy as a major driver of investment, employment and sustainable development, urging state governments and the private sector to take centre stage in translating national policy into tangible economic gains.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government, state governments, private investors and development partners to unlock the enormous opportunities within Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.

Speaking at the Second Quarter 2026 Citizens’ and Stakeholders’ Engagement of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Lagos, Oyetola said the country had laid a solid policy foundation and must now focus on implementation capable of creating jobs, attracting investments and driving inclusive economic growth.

The stakeholders’ engagement, themed “From Policy to Action: Mobilising Sub-National Governments for Effective Implementation of Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy,” brought together policymakers, maritime experts, development partners, academics, industry leaders and representatives of state governments.

According to the minister, the success of Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy depends largely on the commitment of sub-national governments, noting that the country’s vast coastline, inland waterways, fisheries resources and maritime assets are spread across states and coastal communities.

He explained that closer cooperation between all stakeholders would not only strengthen the sector but also improve food security, create employment opportunities, stimulate industrial growth and ensure the sustainable management of marine resources.

Oyetola said reforms introduced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda have continued to improve Nigeria’s maritime sector through enhanced stakeholder engagement, better port operations, improved maritime safety and increased investor confidence.

He highlighted the country’s improving global port rankings, revealing that Tin Can Island Port was ranked the tenth most improved container port worldwide, while Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, emerged twelfth in the 2025 Container Port Performance Index published by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence.

The minister also disclosed that ongoing port modernisation projects and the planned construction of deep seaports in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Lagos and Ondo states would further strengthen Nigeria’s ambition to become West Africa’s leading maritime hub.

He added that improvements in port efficiency have contributed to Nigeria recording consistent trade surpluses since 2024.

On safety across inland waterways, Oyetola said the ministry had intensified collaboration with relevant agencies and state governments through the nationwide distribution of life jackets while encouraging coastal states to phase out unsafe wooden passenger boats in favour of safer fibre boats.

He also urged states to align their development plans with the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy and create an enabling environment for investment in fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, tourism, renewable energy, shipbuilding and marine biotechnology.

In his keynote address, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri, described the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as a bold step towards expanding Nigeria’s economic frontiers beyond oil.

Diri noted that Bayelsa created its own Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in 2024 to coordinate investments and policies aimed at maximising the state’s rich aquatic resources.

He said the Bayelsa Aquaculture Village at Yenegwe had commenced commercial fish production through a functional hatchery producing quality catfish fingerlings and juveniles, while efforts were also underway to develop the proposed Agge Deep Seaport and expand the state’s marine transportation system.

The governor urged coastal states to establish dedicated ministries, enact supportive legislation, strengthen maritime security, improve data management and invest in skills development, innovation and logistics infrastructure to fully harness opportunities in the sector.

Speaking on behalf of Dangote Industries Limited, Managing Director of Dangote Port Operations, Simeon Akin Omole, who represented President and Chief Executive Aliko Dangote, stressed that sustained private sector participation would be critical to achieving the objectives of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.

He said the policy aims to create three million jobs within its first four years, record annual sectoral growth of seven per cent and ensure that at least half of all newly created jobs are reserved for young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35.

Omole identified policy consistency, infrastructure development, improved access to finance and investor confidence as essential requirements for industrial growth, adding that stronger public-private partnerships would accelerate investments across the marine sector.

He also described Nigeria’s fisheries industry as a major investment opportunity, noting that despite increased local production, the country still spends close to one billion dollars annually on fish imports.

According to him, increased investment in aquaculture, hatcheries, feed mills, fish processing, cold-chain logistics and export facilities could significantly reduce imports, conserve foreign exchange, generate over 500,000 jobs and position Nigeria as a major exporter of fisheries products.

The event also featured goodwill messages from the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator (Dr.) Akon Eyakenyi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, representatives of the governors of Ondo and Borno states, and other stakeholders, who reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the implementation of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy agenda.