The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) are set to equip local policymakers, researchers, and industry professionals with the expertise needed to sustainably manage the country’s deep-sea resources.
    
The Federal Government agencies will engage these stakeholders at a global workshop on Deep Seabed activities, scheduled for September 17-18, 2024, in Abuja.
    
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, stated that Nigeria has vast ocean resources that remain largely unexplored, expressing hope that the workshop will set the foundation for sustainably tapping into these resources, balancing economic growth with environmental protection.
    
Oyetola explained that the deep seabed, which spans over 54 per cent of the world’s oceans, holds significant untapped mineral resources that are considered the common heritage of humanity.
 
He said these resources are increasingly critical in the face of growing global demand for rare metals used in renewable energy technologies. 
   
Oyetola said in addition to economic prospects, the deep seabed is crucial for climate change mitigation and plays a key role in absorbing excess CO2 produced by human activities, thus helping to reduce the impact of global warming on the oceans.
   
Oyetola stressed that Nigeria’s participation in the global conversation on deep-sea exploration is vital to advancing both the country’s economic interests and environmental responsibilities.