Tinubu’s Blue Economy Vision Driving Nigeria’s Maritime Transformation, Says Presidential Aide
By Tams Jonah, ABUJA – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to establish the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has been credited with driving major reforms in Nigeria’s maritime sector, including a reported revenue increase to ₦1.83 trillion in 2025 and renewed efforts to unlock the country’s vast ocean and inland waterway resources.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Marine and Blue Economy, Prof. Busayo S. Fakinlede, made the assertion on Thursday in Abuja during a strategic engagement with a delegation of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER).
Fakinlede, a professor of maritime technology and former senior adviser to the World Bank, said the establishment of the ministry and the appointment of Adegboyega Oyetola as its pioneer minister had laid the foundation for the transformation being recorded in the sector.
He described Tinubu’s initiative as a demonstration of leadership and foresight, crediting both the President and the minister for providing the direction behind the reforms.
“Everything that is happening in the sector happened because of the person that created the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose foresight and vision gave birth to the new ministry,” he said.
Fakinlede also praised Oyetola’s experience in public administration and the private sector, describing him as well-positioned to oversee the ministry.
“All the praise and encomiums have to go to Mr. President and the Honourable Minister. I am just trying to catch up with what they are doing. When you have a very good leader leading you, all you have to do is run after that leadership,” he added.
The engagement provided an opportunity for ABER to commend the Federal Government for what it described as significant progress in the marine and blue economy sector since the ministry was established in August 2023.
The delegation was led by Dr. Amenya Kartay, Chief of Staff to ABER’s convener and founder and head of its Abuja Liaison Bureau, who represented the founder, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo.
Other members included Hajiya Medina Dauda Nadabo, Director of Communication and Public Affairs, and Prince Ibiok, Director of ICT at Blue Council Africa.
Presenting ABER’s assessment of the sector, Kartay said the ministry’s creation, initially viewed by some as an administrative adjustment, had increasingly demonstrated its potential to drive economic growth.
“When Mr. President created this ministry in August 2023, many saw it as merely administrative. Today, it has clearly proven to be an economic masterstroke,” he said.
The delegation highlighted several developments it attributed to the ministry, including an increase in revenue from ₦700.79 billion in 2023 to ₦1.83 trillion in 2025, representing a reported growth of approximately 160 per cent.
It also cited the approval of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy in May 2025, port rehabilitation initiatives, the reported clearance of the longstanding Apapa traffic gridlock and progress in developing inland dry ports to facilitate trade.
Other milestones presented by ABER included the commissioning of the Funtua Inland Dry Port, progress on proposed facilities in Moniya, Ijebu-Ode and Jos, and four consecutive years of zero piracy in the Gulf of Guinea under the Deep Blue Project.
The delegation further identified the operationalisation of the Regional Maritime Development Bank after 16 years, Nigeria’s return to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council in Category C after 14 years, and the implementation of a ₦200,000 minimum wage for shipping workers among the sector’s reported achievements.
In fisheries and maritime administration, ABER highlighted fish production of 1.4 million metric tonnes, full compliance with turtle excluder device requirements, the transition to fibreglass fishing boats and the introduction of an Enterprise Content Management System to improve administrative efficiency.
It also cited the transformation of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council into the Port Economic Regulatory Agency as part of the sector’s regulatory reforms.
Beyond reviewing the reported achievements, the meeting examined opportunities to expand Nigeria’s economic returns from its marine resources.
Fakinlede outlined a strategic framework built around three priorities: Identify, Protect and Harness.
The framework entails comprehensive spatial mapping of Nigeria’s maritime domain, stronger institutional governance and protection, and the sustainable development of resources and opportunities such as subsea minerals, offshore wind energy, subsea cabling, desalination and aquaculture.
He said the Gulf of Guinea had an estimated annual economic value of $1 trillion, with Nigeria accounting for approximately 74 per cent of its activities, representing a substantial opportunity to expand national revenue and employment.
However, he identified significant challenges, including the servicing of about 80 per cent of the 4,000 active vessels in Nigerian waters abroad, the underutilisation of more than 10,000 kilometres of navigable inland waterways and annual fish imports exceeding $2 billion.
He argued that addressing these gaps would help retain maritime spending within Nigeria, improve domestic fish production and create additional opportunities for investment and employment.
At the meeting, ABER formally submitted three proposals: the nomination of President Tinubu as the organisation’s Grand Patron, the establishment of a Continental Blue Hall of Fame to be domiciled in Nigeria, and the launch of an Africa Blue Ocean Guardians youth initiative.
The meeting also resolved to prepare briefing notes ahead of a proposed investiture of the President as Grand Patron at a future date.
In recognition of his role in advancing the sector, ABER announced the appointment of Fakinlede as Patron of the Roundtable.
The organisation also reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Presidency on policy advocacy, youth and women’s inclusion, blue finance mobilisation and knowledge exchange across Africa.
The engagement underscored calls for sustained collaboration between government and blue economy stakeholders to translate Nigeria’s maritime resources into jobs, investment, stronger domestic industries and long-term economic growth.
