At the Annual General Meeting of the League of Maritime Editors held in Lagos, Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola, underscored the pivotal role of the media in advancing Nigeria’s blue economy. Represented by Mr. Babatunde Sule, Director of Maritime Services, Oyetola called for robust media partnership to enhance public awareness and drive accountability as the government seeks to transform Nigeria into a leading maritime hub in Africa.
Oyetola praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, a strategic move aimed at harnessing the immense potential of Nigeria’s maritime sector. This initiative, he noted, reflects the President’s vision for elevating Nigeria’s maritime capabilities on the global stage.
“The maritime industry holds the promise of transforming Nigeria’s economy, creating jobs, and improving livelihoods,” Oyetola remarked. He highlighted Nigeria’s strategic location and extensive coastline as key assets that position the country to become a major maritime center in Africa.
The Minister outlined the Ministry’s objectives, which include enhancing port efficiency, improving infrastructure, strengthening maritime security, and developing a skilled workforce. He emphasized the importance of sustainable practices to maximize the sector’s economic benefits while promoting environmental stewardship.
Oyetola appealed to the media to continue spotlighting opportunities within the maritime sector, reporting on successes, and ensuring accountability among stakeholders. He commended the League of Maritime Editors for its efforts in addressing sector challenges and called for ongoing engagement to keep the public informed about sector reforms and advancements.
“We depend on you to highlight how the maritime sector can significantly boost our GDP, create jobs, and attract investment,” Oyetola stated. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to providing accurate information and collaborating with all stakeholders, particularly the media, to foster a competitive and sustainable maritime industry.
Oyetola expressed optimism that with sustained media support, the blue economy would drive Nigeria’s national prosperity and economic growth, unlocking new opportunities for the country.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barrister Pius Akutah reaffirmed its dedication to advancing the digitization of port processes and addressing key challenges in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The Executive Secretary who was represented by a Director of NSC, Rotimi.Anifowose highlighted the importance of the maritime industry in driving national economic growth, referencing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point agenda, which includes a focus on improving infrastructure and transportation.
Akutah noted that the recent unbundling of the Federal Ministry of Transportation into two separate entities—the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy—demonstrates the government’s commitment to expanding the country’s revenue base and improving service delivery in the sector.
The Executive Secretary proudly announced that over 90% of port processes in Nigeria are now automated, a significant milestone that aligns with the NSC’s mandate as the nation’s port economic regulator. He also pointed out that intra-African trade remains costly due to various bottlenecks, including poor infrastructure and cumbersome border procedures. The NSC, he said, is actively addressing these issues through the establishment of Border Information Centres (BICs), Inland Dry Ports (IDPs), and Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs), among other initiatives.
In closing, Akutah expressed the NSC’s ongoing commitment to collaborating with the League of Maritime Editors and other stakeholders to promote and enhance Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy sector. He officially declared the AGM and seminar open, wishing participants fruitful deliberations.