Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, the private sector and development partners to fast-track the implementation of Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, declaring that sub-national governments hold the key to unlocking the sector’s enormous economic potential.
Speaking on Thursday at the Second Quarter 2026 Citizens’ and Stakeholders’ Engagement of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Oyetola said Nigeria had moved beyond policy formulation and must now focus on translating its blue economy vision into tangible economic growth.
“We have moved beyond policy formulation. The task before us now is implementation. The success of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy depends on coordinated action by the Federal Government, state governments, the private sector and our development partners,” the minister said.
The 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 government officials, diplomats, development partners, industry leaders, academics and representatives of state governments.
Oyetola described the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy as a strategic roadmap for harnessing Nigeria’s oceans, inland waterways, fisheries and coastal resources.
“Many of our blue economy assets are located within states and communities. This is why sub-national governments are indispensable partners in attracting investments, creating jobs, improving food security and promoting environmental sustainability,” he said.
Highlighting achievements under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Oyetola said reforms had strengthened stakeholder engagement, attracted investment, improved maritime safety and enhanced port competitiveness.
He cited the 2025 Container Port Performance Index by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, which ranked Tin Can Island Port as the tenth most improved port globally and Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, as the twelfth most improved between 2020 and 2025.
“These improvements demonstrate that our reforms are yielding results. As we modernise our ports and develop new deep seaports across the country, Nigeria is steadily positioning itself as West Africa’s preferred maritime hub,” Oyetola stated.
The minister noted that improved port operations had helped Nigeria maintain a national trade surplus since 2024.
He also disclosed that the ministry had intensified efforts to improve safety on inland waterways through collaboration with relevant agencies and state governments, nationwide distribution of life jackets and advocacy for the replacement of unsafe wooden passenger boats with modern fibre boats.
Calling on states to key into the national agenda, Oyetola said:
“I urge all coastal states to align their development plans with the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy while creating an enabling environment for private investments in fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, tourism, shipbuilding, renewable energy and marine biotechnology.”
Delivering the keynote address, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
“The creation of this ministry is a bold and strategic step towards diversifying Nigeria’s economy and unlocking the enormous opportunities within our marine resources,” Diri said.
He disclosed that Bayelsa had established its own Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in June 2024 and had commenced large-scale fish production at the Bayelsa Aquaculture Village in Yenegwe.
The governor also said the state was expanding its marine transport fleet while pursuing the proposed Agge Deep Seaport project.
Speaking on private sector investment, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, represented by the Managing Director of Dangote Port Operations, Simeon Akin Omole, said sustained private sector participation would determine the success of the national policy.
“Industrial transformation requires policy consistency, quality infrastructure, access to finance and investor confidence. The private sector stands ready to partner government to unlock the immense opportunities within Nigeria’s marine and blue economy,” he said.
Dangote noted that the policy targets the creation of three million jobs within its first four years, annual sectoral growth of seven per cent and the reservation of at least 50 per cent of new jobs for young Nigerians.
He described the fisheries value chain as one of Nigeria’s biggest investment opportunities.
“Nigeria still imports fish worth nearly one billion dollars annually. With the right investments in aquaculture, processing, cold-chain logistics and export infrastructure, we can conserve foreign exchange, create over 500,000 jobs and become a leading exporter of fisheries products,” he added.
Goodwill messages were delivered by 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 private sector stakeholders, all of whom pledged continued support for the successful implementation of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy agenda.