Institute Pushes Blue Economy, Warns On Maritime Drug Trade

National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) have called for harnessing Nigeria’s blue economy and strengthening security on the country’s waterways to curb drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.

The appeal was made in Abuja during a presidential dinner organised in honour of participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47/2025 of NIPSS, following the completion of their 10-month academic programme and presentation of policy research findings to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

At the event, the president of AANI, Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor, said Nigeria’s blue economy presents a strategic pathway for sustainable development if backed by effective policies, strong institutions and coordinated security efforts.

Okafor said the SEC 47 programme, themed “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities,” produced actionable recommendations on fisheries, maritime transport, offshore energy, tourism, biodiversity conservation, coastal security and climate resilience.

He said countries that have embraced the blue economy are already reaping economic and security benefits, adding that Nigeria must deliberately position itself to maximise its vast marine and aquatic resources.

Okafor also recalled President Tinubu’s charge to NIPSS and AANI to generate research-driven and innovative solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges, assuring that the association would continue to support national efforts aimed at peacebuilding, institutional strengthening and human security.

In a related intervention, the chairman and chief executive officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), warned that Nigeria’s blue economy ambitions could be undermined if drug trafficking on maritime routes is not decisively tackled.

“Nigeria cannot fully unlock the wealth of its coastal and marine resources unless the fight against drug trafficking is treated as a critical line of defence for the emerging blue economy,” Marwa said.

He identified maritime transport, offshore oil and gas, fisheries, port operations and coastal tourism as key sectors under threat, noting that drug trafficking syndicates increasingly exploit legitimate vessels, compromised port infrastructure and weak maritime oversight.

According to him, illicit drug trade along waterways fuels violence, corrupts institutions, pollutes coastal environments and distorts local economies, posing serious risks to national security and sustainable development.

The NDLEA boss pledged stronger collaboration with AANI and relevant institutions to disrupt drug trafficking networks operating within Nigeria’s maritime domain.

The dinner also marked the formal induction of SEC 47 participants into AANI, with Okafor urging the new members to uphold the values of excellence, integrity, patriotism, and service in their respective sectors, including the armed forces, security agencies, public service, the private sector and academia.

He expressed confidence that the policy work of SEC 47 would make a meaningful contribution to Nigeria’s development trajectory and ongoing efforts to secure and grow the nation’s blue economy.