The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, has stated that the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy will serve as a transformative framework to maximise the nation’s extensive marine resources.
He said that this initiative aims to create jobs, enhance sustainability, and drive economic growth by tapping into critical sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport and tourism.
The minister spoke on Tuesday in Lagos at the opening of the Technical Validation Workshop, part of a two-stage Stakeholders’ engagement sessions to develop a comprehensive National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the consultations with key stakeholders nationwide are part of the ministry’s efforts to develop a comprehensive National Policy, with the aim to establishing a sustainable framework that fosters economic growth.
This is through the responsible management of marine and blue resources to guarantee that exploits in the sector aligns with global best practices and contributes to Nigeria‘s development objectives.
In his keynote address in Lagos, Oyetola emphasised that “the blue economy is a transformative pathway for nations seeking to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
“At the end of this process, we expect to deliver a national policy document that clearly sets out the roadmap to developing our blue economy, creating jobs, promoting private sector investments, and delivering inclusive prosperity to all Nigerians, especially for our youths and women.”
The minister highlighted the achievements in maritime governance, including Nigeria’s zero-incident piracy record for three years, the ratification of key international protocols, and strides in port modernisation.
These, he noted, had set a strong foundation for the policy’s success.
He also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which threatens the nation’s fisheries and aquatic ecosystem.
“A robust Nationa! Policy will ensure that we address these issues through a comprehensive framework that aligns with international best practices while safeguarding our marine resources for future generations,” he added.
The policy draft, which was subjected to stakeholder validation at the workshop, encompasses key components.
It includes legal and institutional framework, trade and shipping, fisheries and aquaculture, marine abiotic resources, marine innovation and technology and cross cutting issues such as safety, security, and sustainability.
“Our partnerships with the African Union Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU BAR), the Kingdom of Norway, WorldFish and other stakeholders, have yielded notable strategy and policy documents that are very vital inputs into the National Policy on Marine & Blue Economy.
“The National Policy we seek to craft must therefore be comprehensive to tackle all challenges and unlock the full potentials of the sector,” Oyetola stated.
The minister expressed optimism about the impact of the policy on job creation, youth empowerment, and poverty alleviation, particularly in coastal communities.
He also reiterated Nigeria’s bid for election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), a move aimed at amplifying Nigeria’s voice in global maritime governance.
“As we develop this policy, the ministry remains committed to repositioning Nigeria as a dominant player in the marine and blue economy both regionally and globally,’ the minister added, while he commended the collaborative efforts of all parties involved, urging participants to engage in constructive dialogue.
“This workshop is therefore a call to duty to refine and validate the propositions and set the stage for our collective success. As we deliberate, let us embrace open and constructive dialogue.
“Your insights and expertise are vital for shaping a national policy that addresses critical issues such as safety, security, and sustainability in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy,” Oyetola said.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Olufemi Oloruntola, commended the minister’s dedication to shaping the policy as a framework that offers stakeholders an opportunity to review and contribute towards its refinement.
He noted that the presence of diverse stakeholders highlighted the collective effort required to advance the marine and blue economy for national growth.
Oloruntola expressed confidence that the outcome of the workshop would provide a clear roadmap for sustainable development, describing the initiative as a collaborative milestone.
Stakeholders at the workshop also commended President Bola Tinubu’’s for his Renew Hope agenda in establishing the ministry to unlock the country’s marine potential for economic development.
The Secretary General, African Shipowners Association, Ms. Funmi Folorunsho, noted that the engagement with stakeholders is vital to formulating government policies.
The finalised policy is expected to set the roadmap for sustainable development, prom private-sector participation, and reposition Nigeria as a dominant player in the global marine economy.
The Technical Validation Workshop brought together technical officers, head of government agencies, and industry stakeholders who are expected to refine the draft a provide input for finalising the national policy.
The two-stage stakeholders’ workshops will culminate in December with an Executive Validation Workshop in Abuja. (NAN)
