The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting security agencies in safeguarding the nation’s waterways as part of efforts to drive Nigeria’s emerging blue economy.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Enugu, Ogbuku described the blue economy as central to the future of the Niger Delta region, stressing its potential to create jobs, enhance food security, and strengthen climate change adaptation.

“The blue economy is the future of the Niger Delta region. It will strengthen our economy, reduce youth unemployment, improve food security, and support efforts to adapt to climate change,” he said.

The NDDC boss, who led a delegation that included the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, emphasised that the successful implementation of the national policy on marine and blue economy depends on sustained collaboration with security agencies.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to peace and development in the Niger Delta and has mandated us to embark on legacy projects that will stand the test of time. We cannot achieve this without peace. We will continue to collaborate with security agencies to ensure sustainable security and development,” Ogbuku said.

He noted that the Commission had consistently supported security formations across the region, citing interventions for the Nigerian Navy, Army, and Police in 2024.

According to him, the NDDC remains determined to complement the sacrifices of security forces with life-changing projects.

Ogbuku also highlighted some of the Commission’s initiatives, including the Light Up the Niger Delta campaign, which has reduced crime in several communities and boosted commercial activities.

He added that the use of clean energy in the project not only provides electricity but also mitigates climate change effects while generating carbon credits for the Commission.

On youth empowerment, he disclosed that the Commission was building a comprehensive database of the region’s youth population, in addition to inaugurating the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines, and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) to support young entrepreneurs in partnership with the Bank of Industry.

Reflecting on the Commission’s 25-year journey, Ogbuku admitted that frequent changes in NDDC’s management had slowed down development.

He, however, assured that the current leadership is prioritising the completion of critical, legacy projects in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Also speaking during the conference, Executive Director at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Chudi Offodile, commended NDDC’s inter-agency collaboration strategy.

He stressed that the Niger Delta, which accounts for 75 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and most of the country’s maritime domain within the Gulf of Guinea, remains vital to the success of the nation’s blue economy.