The oil city of Warri has been identified as a critical hub for the federal government’s blue economy Initiative as it hosts vast maritime assets and is rich in oil and gas resources.

At a summit on Blue Economy convened by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atunwatse III, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, outlined the federal government’s Blue Economy initiative and the opportunities it avails the Niger Delta region and Warri in particular.

The Olu of Warri, said the summit, with the theme “Harnessing Our Blue Wealth for Sustainable Growth and Shared Prosperity,”  was organised to provide a resource destination for the blue economy industries and to promote sustainable blue economy
development in Warri and beyond with special reference to coastal communities across the Niger Delta region and ensuring environmental protection and inclusive economic growth within the marine and aquatic ecosystem.

The monarch said he envisioned
a resilient Niger Delta where marine and coastal resources are sustainably managed, creating lasting prosperity
communities while profecting biodiversity for future generations.

The minister of Marine and Blue Economy, who was represented by Mrs. Irene Imade Ideva, said the theme of the summit underlined the vision of the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR as It reflects government’s determination to unlock the vast economic potential of our oceans, seas, rivers and other aquatic resources as catalysts for economic diversification, job creation, food security and sustainable development.

He said Warri occupies a special place within this vision, as one of Nigeria’s foremost maritime and industrial centres, adding that the city possesses significant comparative advantages for maritime trade, fisheries, logistics, offshore support services, innovation and blue economy investments. He emphasized that the continued growth and development of Warri and the wider Niger Delta region will remain central to Nigeria’s maritime future.

“The Blue Economy is increasingly recognised as one of the world’s fastest-growing economic frontiers. It encompasses maritime transport and logistics, fisheries and aquaculture, offshore services, coastal infrastructure, marine tourism, renewable energy, biotechnology and a wide range of ocean-based industries that can drive inclusive economic growth.

“Nigeria is exceptionally positioned to benefit from this transformation. With an extensive coastline, vast inland waterways, abundant aquatic resources and a strategic location along major international shipping routes, our country possesses the natural endowments required to emerge as Africa’s leading Blue Economy destination.

“This informed the decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to establish the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and entrust it with the responsibility of unlocking the full potential of the sector. Since its creation, the Ministry has remained focused on promoting sustainable exploitation of marine resources, modernising maritime infrastructure, enhancing trade facilitation, supporting indigenous shipping, strengthening maritime security, advancing fisheries and aquaculture development and attracting strategic investments into the sector.

“We recognise that investment will be critical to achieving these objectives. Across our maritime and blue economy ecosystem, significant opportunities exist in port development, shipping and logistics, fisheries value chains, marine services, coastal infrastructure, offshore support operations and emerging blue industries. Government alone cannot unlock these opportunities. Success will depend on strong partnerships among the public sector, private investors, development partners, research institutions and coastal communities”, he said.

The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, in her address delivered by Dr. Kabir Masangwa, a technical adviser to the minister, said the goals of the summit aligned perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda, which recognizes culture, tourism and the creative economy as major pillars for economic diversification, youth empowerment and national
development.

She said Ministry is implementing several strategic initiatives aimed at transforming culture and tourism from social activities into economic drivers capable of contributing
significantly to national GDP, creating jobs and strengthening Nigeria’s global
image.

The minister noted that the intersection between the Blue Economy and the Creative Economy
presents enormous possibilities — including riverine tourism circuits connecting coastal communities, annual maritime cultural festivals attracting visitors from across
Africa and beyond.
As well as museums, heritage centres, water sports, cruise tourism, culinary tourism, eco-tourism and cultural experiences built around our waterways and coastal heritage.