Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced a major milestone for the country’s maritime sector — three consecutive years without a single piracy incident on its territorial waters.

Speaking in Lagos to over 2,000 citizens and maritime stakeholders during the ministry’s second quarter engagement meeting, Oyetola credited this achievement to the success of the Deep Blue Project — a sweeping maritime security initiative — and a renewed push for coordinated enforcement across agencies.

“This is a remarkable achievement that has earned us international commendation and contributed significantly to regional maritime stability,” Oyetola said.

He further revealed that Nigeria’s leadership in maritime security has been recognised by the African Union, which recently endorsed the country’s offer to host the AU Combined Maritime Task Force in Lagos.

The gathering, themed “Strengthening Collaboration for Effective Implementation of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy,” was more than a ceremonial event. Oyetola described it as a working session aimed at setting priorities, defining clear institutional roles, and ensuring coordinated, accountable delivery of Nigeria’s ambitious marine economy plans.

Highlighting key government initiatives, Oyetola mentioned the Federal Government’s approval of contracts for the reconstruction of Lagos’ Apapa and Tin-Can Ports, as well as ongoing processes to upgrade the Eastern Ports. These will be bolstered by digital innovations like the Port Community System, the E-Call-Up platform, and unified clearance systems designed to tackle congestion and improve trade efficiency.

On boosting Nigeria’s shipping capacity, he said plans are underway to revive a National Carrier through public-private partnerships, while preparatory work for disbursing the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund is in progress, anchored on transparency and strict regulatory compliance.

Turning to inland waterways, Oyetola noted that over 42,000 life jackets have been distributed nationwide, with new ferries and patrol boats deployed to make water travel safer. These measures, underpinned by the Inland Waterways Transportation Regulation of 2023, have already begun reducing boat accidents and rebuilding public confidence.

In the area of fisheries and aquaculture, the Minister outlined initiatives aimed at bolstering food security and creating jobs, including reviving fishing terminals, automating licensing, and rolling out incentives to attract private investment.

Regionally, Nigeria continues to play a pivotal role by championing the establishment of the Regional Maritime Development Bank, which will be headquartered in Abuja. This bank is expected to fund critical infrastructure and promote cross-border trade across West and Central Africa.

Globally, Nigeria is pushing to strengthen its influence by launching a bid for a Category “C” seat on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council, which would give the country a bigger voice in shaping international maritime regulations.

“The transition to a sustainable blue economy is not automatic. It requires innovation, investment, strong institutions, and capacity building,” Oyetola stressed.

He urged stakeholders to work urgently and responsibly to bring the new national marine policy to life, highlighting that robust citizen engagement and cross-sector collaboration would be key to success.

The event brought together policymakers, industry experts, academics, and civil society leaders, all brainstorming practical strategies to harness Nigeria’s marine and blue economy potential for long-term growth and prosperity.