Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government has intensified efforts to position Nigeria as a leading maritime nation, with strategic reforms in port modernisation, aquaculture expansion, and international trade facilitation.
Speaking at an interactive session with the League of Maritime Editors, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, revealed that Nigeria has officially notified the International Maritime Organization, IMO, of its intention to contest for a Category C seat during the 34th IMO Assembly in London in November/December 2025.
The Minister confirmed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the bid, adding that preparations are already underway.
“In furtherance of our improved international posture in world maritime governance, we have proposed a bid to contest election into the International Maritime Organization Council (Category C),” he said.
Oyetola disclosed that the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, which prioritizes technology and private sector participation, is awaiting Federal Executive Council approval.
He also announced that the modernisation and expansion of Tin Can Island and Apapa Port Complexes by the Nigerian Ports Authority will soon commence, with a projected 20,000 jobs to be created.
Oyetola highlighted that Nigeria has recorded three straight years without piracy incidents in West African shipping lanes and the Gulf of Guinea, a milestone he attributed to the implementation of the Deep Blue Sea Project and Falcon Eye Surveillance Systems.
“Through the efforts of the Ministry, its agencies, and other stakeholders, shipping lanes that traverse West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea have witnessed zero piracy for a record three years,” he said.
On fisheries, Oyetola emphasized that fishery and aquaculture are central to Nigeria’s Blue Economy vision.
“Our strategic focus is to upscale fish production in a sustainable manner, tapping into the full spectrum of our marine resources,” he said.
He further revealed that Nigeria achieved 100% compliance in the 2024 Turtle Excluder Devices Re-certification by the U.S. Department of State, a move that facilitates seafood exports to the USA, EU, and other global markets.
To enhance trade efficiency, the government is implementing the National Single Window Project, a digital platform that will centralize trade compliance processes and link ports with relevant agencies and stakeholders.
Additionally, the NPA is finalizing the Port Community System, an electronic platform designed to automate port operations.
The Minister disclosed that from January to November 2024, the Ministry increased government revenue by 77%.
He also noted that the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC and the Central Results Coordinating Delivery Unit, headed by Hadiza Bala-Usman, ranked the Ministry among the top four performing ministries in 2024.
Earlier, President League of Maritime Editors, Remi Itie, raised concerns over security at ports, revenue leakages, overlapping agency functions, and non-disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund.
She also urged stricter monitoring of fishing vessels, saying: “Many fishing vessels are operating in our waters without us getting returns of the required revenue.”
In response, Oyetola assured that the CVFF’s implementation is in progress, emphasizing that it is a revolving loan that must be repaid for others to benefit.
