The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday highlighted the achievements of his Ministry and its agencies over the past year, focusing on maritime security and safety, port operational efficiency, infrastructure rehabilitation, connectivity, and blue economy development.
Oyetola also outlined the Ministry’s strategic plans for continued development of Nigeria’s blue economy, with a focus on maritime security, safety, shipping, shipbuilding and maintenance, maritime governance, port infrastructure rehabilitation, and capacity building in the coming year.
Speaking at a luncheon with the League of Maritime Editors and Publishers in Lagos, the Minister noted that Nigerian territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) have remained safe over the past year, with zero incidents of piracy and maritime terrorism. He attributed this success to the procurement of seven 13-meter armored patrol boats, which have garnered international commendation.
With improved maritime security, Nigeria’s chances of securing a Category “C” seat in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) have been enhanced. The Minister also emphasized efforts to upgrade seaport infrastructure, particularly the rehabilitation of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). The NPA has negotiated a $700 million funding deal with UK Export Finance (UKEF) and Citibank Nigeria, which is expected to generate at least 20,000 jobs.
To improve port operations, the Ministry, through the NPA, has acquired two 80-ton marine crafts, the first of their kind in Africa, for berthing large vessels. Additionally, the Ministry, through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), has commissioned the Funtua Dry Port to help decongest seaports and launched an operational manual for Inland Dry Ports across the country, covering Kano, Lagos, Aba, Funtua, and Jos.
To enhance port efficiency, Oyetola announced plans for a full rollout of the National Single Window initiative to eliminate human interface, expedite port processes, and improve transparency. The Ministry is also engaging with the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies to facilitate the rapid deployment of scanners and reduce congestion at ports.
Furthermore, the Ministry has initiated consultations to reduce the number of agencies operating at seaports to a maximum of seven, aiming to fast-track port operations and improve ease of doing business. The NPA is at the final stages of deploying a Port Community System to eliminate delays, enhance efficiency, and curb revenue leakages.
On revenue collection and security, the Ministry has completed the consultancy process for implementing a Vessel Tracking System. The NPA, in collaboration with the Police, Navy, and Lagos State Government, has also cleared decade-long traffic congestion on the Mile 2–Tin Can–Apapa port access roads, significantly improving truck turnaround times.
To strengthen Nigeria’s competitive position, the Ministry has leveraged Lekki Port to accommodate larger vessels and recover lost cargoes. Plans are underway to adopt modern technology and equipment, including the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), to optimize port operations.
For inland water transportation, the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has deployed water ambulances, strengthened security, distributed 2,000 high-capacity life jackets, and enforced compliance with Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations. Additionally, NIWA has recruited 350 water marshals to uphold safety standards at jetties nationwide.
The Ministry has also procured and deployed navigation aids such as fenders, buoys, bollards, pilot cutters, tugboats, and waterfront security patrol boats to facilitate safe navigation.
On ease of doing business, the Ministry, along with NIMASA and NPA, has achieved a 100% score in the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) ranking by fulfilling all action plan requirements.
Despite these achievements, Oyetola stressed that further developmental activities will be pursued in maritime security, safety, shipping, shipbuilding, maritime governance, port efficiency, inland water transportation, fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, seabed mining, biotechnology, and renewable energy.
Key maritime security initiatives include establishing a Nigerian Coast Guard, integrating all maritime domain awareness infrastructures, and setting up a special court for maritime-related crimes.
For maritime safety, the Ministry plans to improve waterway navigability by identifying, marking, and removing wrecks, as well as installing Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) equipment across rescue sub-centers.
In shipping development, shipbuilding, and maintenance, the Ministry intends to disburse the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) and facilitate additional funding for vessel acquisition by indigenous shipping companies. The NIMASA Director General, Dr. Dayo Moberola, assured that new disbursement measures would prevent previous issues where beneficiaries failed to repay.
The Ministry also plans to establish a national shipping line through a private-sector-driven model, recognizing the past failure of the government-owned Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL), which was liquidated in 1995.
On maritime governance and capacity building, the Ministry will finalize and launch the National Policy on Blue Economy, setting development goals for the next decade to generate revenue and create jobs.
Infrastructure and connectivity efforts will include developing deep seaports at Ibom, Badagry, Ondo, Bonny, Snake Island, and Agge through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), as well as completing other inland dry ports in Jos, Bauchi, Ijebu Ode, and Ogun.
To enhance port efficiency, the Ministry aims to fully digitalize and automate port processes, establish an electronic Port Community System, streamline the operations of government agencies at ports, and implement the President’s Executive Order on Ease of Doing Business. Additionally, efforts are being made to secure Nigeria’s acceptance into Category C of the IMO.
In her welcome address, the President of the League of Maritime Editors (LOME), Mrs. Remi Itie, emphasized the need for continued development in the maritime sector. She highlighted critical industry issues, including the long-overdue disbursement of the CVFF, port efficiency, indigenous shipping development, and the need for a national carrier.
Itie also raised concerns over weak port security, ineffective shipping capacity development, excessive waivers under the Cabotage Act, and political interference in maritime policies. She pointed out challenges in the National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), including poor performance of Nigerian cadets in certification exams, lack of training ships, and limited sea-time opportunities.
Additionally, Itie urged the Ministry to address the poor implementation of the Cabotage Act, inefficiencies surrounding the NIMASA Floating Dock, and the legislative gaps limiting the enforcement role of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. She called for the timely passage of the NSC Amendment Bill to establish the Council as a port regulator and reduce high shipping tariffs.
On NIWA, she highlighted the absence of navigable channels, excessive taxation, and inter-agency rivalry, stressing the need for synergy between NIWA and state authorities to foster growth. She also called for improved capital and maintenance dredging to enhance safe navigation.
Regarding the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, she emphasized the urgent need for training ships and structured sea-time opportunities for cadets. She suggested that NSDP funds be redirected to the academy to build seafarer capacity, similar to the successful model in the Philippines.
The event was attended by all CEOs in the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry.