FG MOVES TO UNLOCK NIGERIA’S MARITIME POTENTIAL, BOOST BLUE ECONOMY

FG MOVES TO UNLOCK NIGERIA’S MARITIME POTENTIAL, BOOST BLUE ECONOMY

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to harnessing Nigeria’s vast maritime resources as part of efforts to drive economic diversification, create jobs and attract increased investment into the blue economy sector.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, stated this while receiving the Executive Committee of the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), during a visit in Abuja.

Oyetola said the ministry is implementing strategic reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business in the maritime sector, modernising critical infrastructure, strengthening regulatory efficiency and expanding local content participation.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Bolaji Akinola, the Minister noted that the reforms are also designed to attract greater domestic and foreign investments into key areas such as shipping, ports, fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism and other blue economy value chains.

He assured stakeholders that the ministry would continue to engage industry players, stressing that sustained consultation, collaboration and shared responsibility are critical to achieving lasting reforms and unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s marine resources.

The Minister said the Federal Government remains committed to positioning the maritime sector as a major contributor to national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Earlier, the President of AMANO, Emmanuel Maiguwa, commended the ongoing reforms in the sector and praised Oyetola’s commitment to preserving the integrity, professional identity and specialised mandate of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.

Maiguwa said the efforts would help ensure that Nigeria continues to produce globally competitive maritime professionals who meet international certification requirements under the International Maritime Organisation conventions and the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).