Samson Echenim 
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has convened a high-level citizens and maritime stakeholders aimed at accelerating the implementation of the recently approved National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.
Themed, “Strengthening Collaboration for Effective Implementation of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy,” the event brought together key actors across government, maritime & shipping industry, academia, as well as the civil society in a bid to forge a unified, action-oriented strategy for the marine sector’s transformation.
Delivering the keynote address at the forum, which held on Thursday at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Oyetola emphasised that the creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy represented one of the boldest and most forward-thinking reforms in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government of Nigeria.
He described the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy as a major turning point, offering a structured framework to unlock value across Nigeria’s vast marine ecosystems, including port infrastructure, maritime security, aquaculture, coastal tourism, ocean governance, marine biotechnology, renewable energy, and climate resilience.
“This gathering of captains of the maritime sector, official of regulatory government agencies, maritime experts and well-meaning citizens, is not ceremonial, but rather a practical working session designed to craft an implementation roadmap with clear institutional responsibilities and measurable deliverables,” the minister said.
“We must work together, with inter-agency coordination, accountability mechanisms, and capacity building, as citizen engagement and shared ownership are essential to the success of the policy. Inclusive policymaking yields stronger development outcomes, particularly in complex and interconnected sectors such as the marine economy.”
The minister further highlighted key milestones achieved by the ministry since its inception, including a 75% performance score in 2024 as evaluated by the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit under the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination.
Speaking on priority areas, Oyetola named the reconstruction of the Apapa and Tin Can Ports under the Western Port Rehabilitation Programme, disbursement of the Cabotage Vessels Financing Fund and the ministry’s commitment to revitalising indigenous shipping capacity through the revival of a national carrier under a public-private partnership model.
L-R: Director, Marine Abiotic Resources, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Uzoamaka Okereke; Director, Information and Public Relations, Anastasia Ogbonna; Director, Maritime Safety and Security, Babatunde Bombata; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry, Marine & Blue Economy (FMMBE), Olufemi Oloruntola; Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Kalthum Ibrahim; Director, Fisheries, Wellington Omoragbon and Director, Maritime Services Department, Mercy Ilori, at the citizens’ and stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Lagos, on Thursday.
He also highlighted efforts at digitalizing maritime agencies operations, which he noted had started yielding positive results in improving efficiency and private sector investment in maritime and shipping industries.
“Internationally, Nigeria has launched its campaign to secure a Category “C” seat on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council later this year, signalling its commitment to shaping global maritime governance,” the minister told the audience.
While welcoming participants at the event earlier, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to inclusive implementation. He stated that the revised directive from the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit now requires holistic stakeholder engagement on a quarterly basis to promote transparency and collective ownership. Oloruntola commended the leadership of the minister and acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders to the ministry’s reform efforts.
The forum drew participation from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including heads of maritime agencies, shipowners, terminal operators, freight forwarding associations, truckers, women’s groups, and representatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, Nigerian Technology Development Agency, and other critical institutions. Through presentations, deliberations, and collaborative sessions, the event laid a solid foundation for the structured and inclusive rollout of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.
