Abuja, May 14, 2025 – Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has reaffirmed his commitment to the full implementation of the newly approved National Policy on Maritime and Blue Economy.
He called on senior officials and agency heads under the ministry to demonstrate effective leadership in this regard.
The minister expressed this commitment in a statement issued by the ministry.
Oyetola urged senior officials of the ministry and its agencies to recommit themselves to effective leadership, inter-agency collaboration, and measurable performance outcomes.
He said that with the new policy, the marine and blue economy sector had now been placed at the heart of the nation’s economic growth strategy.
Oyetola said significant achievements were already underway, including port infrastructure modernization, enhanced port efficiency, maritime security improvements, aquaculture and fisheries development, and the commencement of the long-awaited disbursement process of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund.
He described the recent approval of the policy by the Federal Executive Council as a foundational achievement that sets the strategic framework for long-term sectoral transformation.
Oyetola challenged the ministry and its agencies to fully internalise the policy’s strategic priorities and translate them into actionable programmes.
He called for disciplined execution built on coordination, technology adoption, transparency, environmental stewardship, and institutional accountability.
The minister stressed the seriousness of the ministry’s performance bonds.
“Treat the Performance Bonds signed during the retreat not as symbolic gestures, but as serious commitments to deliver concrete, time-bound outcomes that enhance the sector’s contribution to GDP, expand job creation, increase port throughput, and improve regulatory compliance and revenue mobilisation,” he said.
Oyetola stressed the importance of Nigeria’s bid for a Category C seat on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)nCouncil, describing it as a strategic national objective.
He also highlighted the role of the ministry in leading diplomatic efforts in the achievement of this objective and urged all the agencies to contribute actively to the country’s international maritime standing.
