By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Federal Government has said finance remains the decisive factor in transforming Nigeria’s bold new vision for its marine and blue economy into tangible impact.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola made the call in Lagos at the 3rd Quarter Citizens’ and Stakeholders’ Engagement of the Ministry and its agencies, stressing that without sustainable investment, the country risks leaving its vast marine resources underutilised
The Minister in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Communications Dr.Bolaji Akinola, described the event’s theme, “From Policy to Impact: Finance is Key,” as both timely and urgent, noting that the Federal Executive Council’s approval of Nigeria’s first-ever National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy in May 2025 had created a clear roadmap for growth, but that the next critical step lay in mobilising the capital needed to achieve results.
He cited recent examples where financing has already yielded impact. Nigeria, he noted, has sustained a piracy-free record for more than three years in the Gulf of Guinea, a feat made possible through investments in the Deep Blue Project, ongoing Rehabilitation and modernisation of Lagos ports designed to attract larger vessels, cut down turnaround time, and create thousands of jobs, with similar initiatives planned across the country.
Oyetola emphasised that the marine and blue economy must not be seen as a government-only endeavour but rather as a shared prosperity project in which finance is the lever that will draw in long-term private capital, align practices with international standards, and ensure that every stakeholder effort complements the national 10-year policy.
