Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a wide-ranging security and economic framework aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s marine and aquatic wealth, declaring the blue economy a central pillar of his administration’s long-term diversification agenda.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at a Presidential Parley with participants of the Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies NIPSS, the President ordered all ministries, departments and agencies to immediately review and implement NIPSS’ recommendations on building a globally competitive blue economy.
“The blue economy offers a strategic pathway for diversifying our revenue base, creating sustainable employment and revitalising the ecosystems that sustain national development,” he said. “If properly harnessed, this sector could become an anchor of shared prosperity for generations.”
Tinubu said Nigeria’s 853-kilometre coastline, vast fisheries, inland waterways and location within the Gulf of Guinea provide a strong foundation for new revenue streams.
He listed aquaculture expansion, port modernisation, coastal tourism, marine biotechnology and renewable ocean energy as priority areas.
“These opportunities lie within our grasp if we act with discipline and intentionality,” he added.
Highlighting key reforms already underway, the President said the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was a deliberate strategy to improve port systems, strengthen maritime security and unlock private-sector growth.
However, he cautioned that economic ambitions would fail without security, warning that oil theft, illegal fishing, smuggling, vandalism and kidnapping still threaten national revenues.
“These threats are real, and this administration is taking decisive steps to address them,” he stated.
To strengthen national security response, Tinubu assigned NIPSS a new mandate to conduct a nationwide security diagnostic and submit actionable proposals for reforming Nigeria’s security architecture. “The policy paper shall be submitted to my office within an agreed timeline, and it will receive the utmost attention,” he assured.
Earlier, NIPSS Director-General Prof. Ayo Omotayo commended the administration for its support, noting that the team visited several Nigerian states and 14 countries to produce the study titled Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.
Presenting highlights of the report, Colonel Murkar Dauda said Nigeria must address governance gaps, poor institutional coordination and sub-standard maritime infrastructure. He stressed that “fisheries and aquaculture remain strong entry points,” recommending that fish production be scaled from 1.2 million to 10 million tonnes within two years.
The report also urged the Federal Government to diversify blue economy revenue sources, harmonise all legal frameworks, and launch an innovative skills and job-creation programme tailored to the marine sector.
“With the right policies and investment frameworks, Nigeria can unlock billions in untapped value,” the report added.
