Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the ocean and harnessing its resources for sustainable development as the world marked the 2025 World Maritime Day on Thursday in Lagos.
The event, themed “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity,” was held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, with stakeholders from across the maritime industry in attendance.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, said the celebration provided a platform to assess global maritime progress and spotlight new opportunities in the blue economy.
“Today’s celebration is not only about recognising the importance of our oceans but also about reflecting on how best to preserve them while unlocking their enormous potential,” Oloruntola noted, stressing that oceans sustain communities, power economies, and provide avenues for innovation. He added that the Ministry was determined to deepen reforms, enhance inter-agency collaboration, and strengthen Nigeria’s role in international maritime governance in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, described the ocean as central to economic growth, environmental sustainability, and community development.
“The ocean, covering more than 70% of our planet, produces between 50 and 80% of the Earth’s oxygen, provides food and livelihoods for millions, and carries more than 80% of global trade. Yet, it is under mounting threat from pollution, overfishing, climate change, and neglect,” he said.
Oyetola emphasised that protecting maritime resources was a shared responsibility while also highlighting the sector’s vast potential for job creation, trade facilitation, and regional integration. He pointed out that ongoing reforms in the Ministry were in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to diversify the economy beyond oil and gas.
According to him, Nigeria is exploring innovation in renewable ocean energy, marine biotechnology, and aquaculture as part of its blue economy strategy. He added that enforcing sustainable fishing practices, tackling marine pollution, protecting biodiversity, and enhancing safety and security at sea were top priorities.
The Minister also stressed Nigeria’s active participation in global maritime dialogues, expressing optimism that the country’s leadership would continue to influence international policies on responsible ocean governance.
As the world commemorated this year’s World Maritime Day, Nigeria’s message was clear: the ocean represents both an obligation to preserve and an opportunity to unlock prosperity, sustainability, and global cooperation.