FG pushes blue economy expansion at Africa forward summit

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The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has presented Nigeria’s Blue Economy Agenda at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, where he participated in a high-level panel discussion on the blue economy.

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The Special Adviser to the Minister on Media, Dr Bolaji Akinola, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday.

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Akinola said in the statement that the minister spoke on the topic: “Blue Economy: Maritime Sovereignty & Sustainable Valorisation.”

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He said that the summit had the theme: “Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth.”

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Akinola quoted Oyetola as saying that the Federal Government had continued to implement deliberate measures to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy resources.

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He said that the minister included the creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in August 2023 as part of the government’s deliberate measures.

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Akinola noted Oyetola as saying, “Since its establishment, the ministry has recorded notable milestones, including the development of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, designed to provide a strategic framework for sustainable sectoral growth.

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“The agencies under the ministry have also achieved record revenue performance, generating N1.83 trillion in the 2025 fiscal year.”

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Oyetola said that the Federal Government had approved a comprehensive port modernisation and upgrade programme expected to attract larger vessels and expand employment opportunities.

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The minister added that the government’s modernisation efforts would reinforce Nigeria’s position as the leading maritime hub for West and Central Africa.

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The minister noted that the summit brought together African leaders, policymakers, investors and development partners to advance discussions on innovation, economic growth and strategic partnerships across the continent.

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He said the panel session also featured the French Minister of the Sea and Fisheries, Catherine Chabaud, alongside other distinguished maritime stakeholders from across Africa.

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Oyetola said the landmark summit, co-hosted by William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron, had Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu present, joining fellow African leaders at the event.

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He stressed that the summit, widely regarded as a significant diplomatic and economic engagement, marked a new phase in Africa-France relations.

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He added that this was particularly so, as it was the first Africa-France summit hosted in an English-speaking, non-Francophone African country.

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