Nigeria Pledges Push for Blue Economy Boom

Nigeria’s leaders have promised to tap into sea riches to drive the nation’s wealth and progress. The marine and blue economy minister, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, made the vow on Tuesday at the first big gathering on sea trade and shows in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. He spoke through his deputy on saving, new ideas, and tech in the field. The event’s focus was on steady sea growth that builds safe, money-making, and strong communities along the coast.

The country boasts 853 kilometres of shoreline and a wide sea zone over 200 nautical miles out. This area teems with sea life, fish, oil and gas, and busy ship paths. Yet for years, these gifts have sat unused because of poor setups, split control, weak buildings, and too few skilled hands. Around the world, sea business brings in more than 2.5 trillion dollars each year. Africa makes up less than five per cent, and Nigeria’s slice is tiny—not from lack of chances, but from weak plans and lasting ways to use them. The team wants to fix this by matching top world rules and sharing growth that includes everyone.

Gaps in rules must close to unlock full power from sea and shore gifts and build a tough sea economy. Without action, it will hold back safety, money gains, and strong lives in shore towns. Key hurdles hit old ports, docks, and shore spots, plus sea safety woes, rule breaks, harm to nature, weak shores, and short skills among people. These troubles open doors for fresh ideas and cash pours in.

New fields the team backs include loans for sea builds, green sea power, steady fish farming and sea crops, shore trips and old site care, and sea fact-sharing tools.

The meet-up came from the sea study group at Niger Delta University in Amassoma, Bayelsa. The chair, a top south-south trade boss, said talks on the oil-rich delta have stuck on woes like nature harm, slow growth, and missed chances. He called for a new story. The sea economy gives a fresh path away from oil pulls, into new ways, lasting care, ship business, sea rules, fish work, goods moves, trips, shore builds, green power, and weather shifts. It’s not just for rulers—trade groups must lead too. They stand ready to sharpen port fights, grow trade in the area, open sea jobs, push new skills and learning, team with schools for better lessons, and join safety forces for safer seas.

The university head said the event was late coming, given the sea wealth around. The world shifts from black oil to blue sea gold, and Nigeria has plenty free from nature. It’s time to grab it firm.