PRESIDENT OF THE LEAGUE OF MARITIME EDITORS, MRS. REMI ITIE WITH MINISTER OF MARINE AND BLUE ECONOMY, ADEGBOYEGA OYETOLA AND CEOs OF AGENCIES IN THE MARITIME SECTOR
Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, Nigeria’s Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, has showcased a powerhouse of achievements and audacious plans to overhaul the nation’s maritime and blue economy sectors.
In a high-energy presentation at a luncheon with the League of Maritime Editors and Publishers in Lagos, From securing safer seas to enhancing ports and driving global trade, Oyetola’s strategy promises to put Nigeria on the map as a maritime powerhouse
One of the most striking accomplishments Oyetola highlighted was the drastic improvement in maritime security. For over a year now, Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) have been piracy-free—a feat that has garnered global praise. Thanks to the acquisition of seven state-of-the-art armoured patrol boats, the government has created a formidable defense against piracy and maritime terrorism. This success is expected to catapult Nigeria closer to clinching the coveted Category “C” seat at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), a significant step in bolstering the nation’s maritime influence.
Turning his focus to the nation’s ports, Oyetola didn’t mince words about the urgency of revitalizing key infrastructure. Plans are already underway for a multi-billion-dollar facelift at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, a project that will involve a $700 million agreement with Citibank Nigeria, facilitated by UK Export Finance. The project promises to not only increase operational efficiency but create a staggering 20,000 jobs.
But that’s not all. Nigeria’s maritime sector is making history with the purchase of Africa’s first-ever 80-ton marine crafts—sophisticated Azimuth Stern Drive vessels designed for the berthing of large ships, bringing Nigeria’s ports into a new era of technological advancement.
Oyetola also revealed the roll-out of the National Single Window system—aimed at digitizing and automating port processes to eliminate human interference, drastically cut down congestion, and ensure smoother, faster transactions. Alongside this, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is in the final stages of deploying the Port Community System, which will streamline operations, boost revenue collection, and eradicate costly delays.
ADEGBONYEGA OYETOLA
For the first time, the country is seeing an overhaul of its transportation network, with collaboration between the NPA, the Nigerian Police, the Navy, and the Lagos State Government clearing decades of gridlock at the Mile 2-Tin Can-Apapa corridor, slashing truck turnaround time
On the domestic front, the Oyetola-led Ministry is pushing forward with a bold plan to expand Nigeria’s shipping fleet. The revival of the national carrier, under a public-private partnership, will set the stage for Nigeria to become a key player in global maritime trade once again. The Minister is committed to ensuring that the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF)—long a contentious issue—finally reaches the right hands, facilitating the acquisition of vessels by indigenous companies and catapulting Nigeria into a new chapter of shipping self-sufficiency.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Oyetola’s vision extends far beyond infrastructure. His ambitious plans for maritime safety include deploying hundreds of water ambulances, distributing life-saving jackets, and ensuring the training of 350 water marshals across Nigeria’s inland waterways. Moreover, the NPA has been tasked with deploying cutting-edge navigational aids, including fenders, buoys, and tugboats to ensure safe passage for vessels.
MRS. REMI ITIE, ADEGBOYEGA OYETOLA , HON. MINISTER OF MARINE AND BLUE ECONOMY AND AG.RECTOR, MAN ORON
Perhaps most exciting is Oyetola’s blueprint to launch the Nigerian Coast Guard, a new body aimed at safeguarding the nation’s coastlines and inland waters, creating an unprecedented layer of maritime secur
As for Nigeria’s maritime workforce, the Minister laid out plans to expand and modernize the nation’s training programs. The Maritime Academy of Nigeria is set for a major upgrade, with a focus on providing state-of-the-art training ships for cadets, whose practical training has long been stifled by a lack of resources.
Oyetola also touched on the exciting prospects within the blue economy, including investments in fisheries, coastal tourism, seabed mining, and renewable energy. The Minister revealed plans to further develop Nigeria’s deep seaports, with new projects planned for Ibom, Badagry, and Bonny, as well as the completion of inland dry ports in key states like Jos and Bauchi.
Despite the impressive strides made, Oyetola is determined that the journey has just begun. With significant developments on the horizon, including the full-scale implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) and the completion of the National Policy on Blue Economy, Nigeria’s maritime sector is poised for nothing short of a revolution.
In response, the League of Maritime Editors voiced their support, urging the Minister to press forward with bold policies that address the long-standing challenges of indigenous shipping, infrastructure inefficiencies, and the controversial issue of waivers under the Cabotage Act.
With the right mix of determination and strategic partnerships, Oyetola’s vision for Nigeria’s marine and blue economy could very well set the country on the course to becoming a global maritime leader—one dock at a time.
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2025-01-31