Oyetola Seeks Stronger State, Private Sector Partnership To Unlock Nigeria's Blue Economy

The minister of marine and blue economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola has called for stronger collaboration between the federal government, state governments, the private sector and development partners to accelerate the implementation of Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.

Speaking on Thursday at the Second Quarter 2026 Citizens’ and Stakeholders’ Engagement of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Oyetola said Nigeria had moved beyond policy formulation and must now focus on implementation capable of delivering measurable economic benefits.

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.

According to the minister, sub-national governments are critical to unlocking the country’s vast marine resources because many of Nigeria’s blue economy assets are located within states and local communities.

He said reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda had strengthened stakeholder engagement, attracted investment, improved maritime safety and enhanced the competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports.

Oyetola noted that the 2025 Container Port Performance Index by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence ranked Tin Can Island Port as the 10th most improved port globally, while Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, emerged as the 12th most improved between 2020 and 2025.

He added that ongoing port modernisation and plans to develop new deep seaports in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Lagos and Ondo states would further position Nigeria as West Africa’s preferred maritime hub.

The minister also said improved port operations had contributed to Nigeria recording a national trade surplus consistently since 2024.

On inland waterways, he disclosed that the ministry had intensified collaboration with relevant agencies and state governments to improve safety, including the nationwide distribution of life jackets and advocacy for replacing unsafe wooden passenger boats with modern fibre boats.

Oyetola urged coastal states to align their development plans with the national policy while encouraging private investment in fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, tourism, shipbuilding, renewable energy and marine biotechnology.

Delivering the keynote address, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, commended President Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a strategic move to diversify Nigeria’s economy.

Diri said Bayelsa had established its own Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in June 2024 and had already commenced large-scale fish production at the Bayelsa Aquaculture Village in Yenogoa, while also pursuing the development of the proposed Agge Deep Seaport.

The governor recommended that coastal states establish dedicated marine and blue economy ministries, enact enabling legislation, secure their maritime domains, invest in credible data systems and develop skills, innovation hubs and logistics infrastructure.