Oyetola: South-South Region Holds the Key to Unlocking Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy Potential

Emmanuel Daudu

The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has spotlighted Nigeria’s South-South region as the nation’s gateway to maritime prosperity, describing it as the heartbeat of the country’s emerging blue economy revolution.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) led by Ms. Usoro Akpabio, Dr. Oyetola underscored that the region’s long coastline, strategic ports, and vast aquatic wealth make it central to Nigeria’s vision of becoming a global maritime hub.

“The South-South is the anchor of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy future. Its coastline and ports are strategic national assets, and we are determined to modernize and maximize their potential,” he stated.

The Minister revealed that under the Federal Government’s Port Modernisation Programme, key seaports in the region Warri, Rivers, Onne, and Calabar Ports are set for major upgrades, including dredging to a minimum depth of 16 metres to accommodate larger vessels. The initiative, he said, will lower cargo handling costs, attract global shipping lines, and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness within the Gulf of Guinea.

Dr. Oyetola also announced ongoing plans to develop new deep seaports in the region, including the Agge (Bayelsa), Ibom (Akwa Ibom), Bakassi (Cross River), and Bonny (Rivers) Deep Seaports projects expected to transform the logistics landscape, stimulate industrial growth, and create thousands of jobs.

Beyond shipping and trade, the Minister highlighted marine tourism as a major growth frontier for the region. He encouraged state governments to leverage the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to develop tourism assets that can attract both domestic and foreign visitors.

“A thriving coastal tourism sector can generate sustainable income for communities, empower women and youth, and boost regional economies,” Oyetola noted.

He further emphasized that the presence of maritime training institutions such as the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, and the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, reinforces the South-South’s pivotal role in producing skilled manpower for the nation’s expanding maritime industry.

On food security, Dr. Oyetola assured that the Ministry is taking deliberate steps to reduce fish importation by promoting aquaculture and expanding domestic fish production with the South-South serving as the nation’s fishing hub.

He urged Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, adding that the recently approved National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy provides a clear roadmap for sustainable ocean governance, investment growth, and wealth creation.

Earlier, the SSDC Managing Director, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, lauded the Minister’s commitment to repositioning the maritime sector, expressing the Commission’s readiness to collaborate with the Ministry on blue economy projects. She also proposed a joint working team to coordinate and accelerate project delivery across the region.

The delegation included Engr. Chika Chinda, Rt. Hon. Larry Odey, and Hon. Tabitha Salah, members of the SSDC Board.