Oyetola seeks stakeholders’ inputs in national maritime policy draft

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has presented a nine-part draft National Policy document developed in collaboration with international partners, including the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), the Kingdom of Norway and WorldFish, for stakeholder review, input and validation.

Speaking at the Technical Validation Workshop on the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, held in Lagos yesterday, Oyetola described the policy as a comprehensive framework designed to leverage Nigeria’s vast marine resources for sustainable development.

The policy is divided into five core areas: legal and institutional frameworks, maritime transport, trade and shipping, fisheries and aquaculture, marine abiotic resources as well as marine innovation and technology, to create jobs, attract private sector investments and promote environmental sustainability and inclusive prosperity.

Oyetola explained that the policy also addresses various cross-cutting issues and seeks to provide a robust framework for sustainable resource utilisation and sectoral growth, adding that stakeholders would review the document to help shape its implementation structure.

The minister noted that the workshop marks a significant milestone in developing a national policy that aligns with international best practices while safeguarding the nation’s marine resources for future generations.

He called for open and constructive dialogue, emphasising the importance of stakeholder insights and expertise in refining the policy to tackle critical issues such as safety, security and sustainability.

“Our goal is to critically evaluate this draft policy, ensuring it addresses the needs of all stakeholders and incorporates global standards,” Oyetola said.

He highlighted the inclusive consultation and technical drafting processes, which have resulted in a forward-looking document designed to meet both global standards and local needs.

Oyetola said the outcomes of the workshop will inform updates to the draft policy, which is expected to guide Nigeria toward becoming a hub for innovation and development in the blue economy.
Oyetola expressed optimism that the final policy would drive economic transformation, foster private-sector participation and secure inclusive prosperity for Nigerians.

He also outlined the government’s vision for leveraging Nigeria’s extensive marine resources to fuel economic growth and environmental sustainability.

With a coastline stretching 853 kilometres, vast inland waterways, and a large exclusive economic zone, Oyetola highlighted the potential in fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, tourism, renewable energy and seabed mining.

However, he stressed that unlocking these opportunities will require addressing significant challenges, including environmental degradation, illegal fishing, and outdated infrastructure.

The minister also pointed to Nigeria’s achievements in maritime governance, including the domestication of international protocols, which have strengthened safety and security in Nigerian waters.

He celebrated the country’s three-year record of zero piracy incidents as a testament to progress made in maritime security.

Oyetola further noted ongoing efforts to modernise ports and attract private-sector investment as critical steps to enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global maritime sector.