Oyetola Rallies Stakeholders on Development of National Policy to Sustain Nigeria’s Blue Economy Potentials

—Says Policy Would Eradicate Illegal Fishing, Other Unsustainable Practices

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday, convened critical stakeholders in the maritime industry to a workshop in Ikeja, Lagos, aimed at developing a National Policy for the Nigerian maritime sector.

Attendees included notable shipowners like Engr. Greg Ogbeifun and Mrs. Funmi Folorunsho, Master Mariners led by Capt. Tajudeen Alao, maritime truckers led by Chief Remi Ogungbemi, and maritime labor representatives led by Bolaji Sunmola. Other stakeholders included seafarers represented by officials of Merchant Navy Senior Staff Association, led by its National Secretary Mr. John Okpono, fisheries experts, and heads of agencies under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Speaking during his keynote address, Oyetola described the blue economy as a transformative opportunity for Nigeria to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.

He emphasized that the workshop marked a milestone in the ministry’s efforts to establish a comprehensive framework for managing the country’s vast marine resources.

“Our 853 kilometers of coastline, extensive inland waterways, and vast exclusive economic zone present unparalleled opportunities in fisheries, shipping, tourism, renewable energy, and seabed mining,”

“However, these opportunities come with challenges such as environmental degradation and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which this policy seeks to address.”

The minister highlighted Nigeria’s recent strides in maritime governance, including the ratification and domestication of international protocols that have significantly enhanced safety and security. These efforts, he noted, have resulted in a three-year streak of zero piracy incidents in Nigerian waters.

Oyetola further called for private sector investment in port modernization to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness and attract sustainable funding. He acknowledged the importance of partnerships with global and regional organizations such as the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), the Kingdom of Norway, and WorldFish in developing a robust policy framework.

The draft policy presented at the workshop includes a comprehensive nine-part document that examines Nigeria’s marine endowments, legal and institutional frameworks, maritime transport, fisheries, marine innovation, and cross-cutting issues. It sets a clear roadmap to unlock the sector’s full potential, promote private investment, create jobs, and ensure inclusive prosperity, particularly for youth and women.

“This workshop is a call to duty,” Oyetola stated. “As we deliberate, let us embrace open and constructive dialogue. Your insights and expertise are vital to shaping a national policy that addresses critical issues such as safety, security, and sustainability in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.”

The outcomes of the stakeholder engagements will feed into the final policy document, expected to position Nigeria as a regional leader in the blue economy and a dominant player on the global stage.