The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has spotlighted the South-South region as the strategic heart of Nigeria’s maritime renaissance, describing it as the cornerstone of the nation’s ambition to harness the full potential of the blue economy for sustainable growth, investment, and job creation.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, following a meeting with a delegation from the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) led by Ms. Usoro Akpabio, Oyetola said the region’s vast coastline, critical port infrastructure, and rich aquatic resources place it at the centre of Nigeria’s marine future.
“The South-South remains the anchor of Nigeria’s maritime prosperity. Its coastline, ports, fisheries and ocean resources are essential pillars for driving growth, competitiveness and sustainability in the emerging blue economy,” Oyetola declared.
Ports Modernisation and Deepwater Expansion: A Maritime Overhaul in Motion
Oyetola revealed that the Federal Government is accelerating the modernisation of ports in Warri, Rivers, and Calabar, under a comprehensive upgrade programme aimed at restoring Nigeria’s competitiveness within the Gulf of Guinea trade corridor.
The plan includes dredging the ports to a depth of at least 16 metres, enabling the docking of larger vessels and boosting cargo throughput efficiency.
“Deeper ports will attract larger vessels, cut logistics costs, enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness, and create more jobs across our maritime value chain,” he said.
In addition, the ministry is collaborating with state governments to develop new deep seaports in Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers States, part of an integrated strategy to reposition Nigeria as West Africa’s primary maritime hub.
These new facilities, Oyetola noted, will catalyse industrial growth, boost logistics and warehousing infrastructure, and generate thousands of employment opportunities in the marine services sector.
Tourism, Aquaculture, and Sustainability at the Core
Beyond cargo and logistics, Oyetola emphasised that the blue economy is not just about ports and petroleum, but a multi-sectoral development agenda spanning marine tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, and environmental stewardship.
He urged coastal states to tap into opportunities along the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, developing tourism corridors that link ports, beaches, and resort towns into a single, high-value marine tourism ecosystem.
“Marine tourism has the potential to create massive jobs, attract domestic and foreign visitors, and generate sustainable income for coastal communities,” he said.
To boost food security, Oyetola reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to closing Nigeria’s fish production gap through aquaculture investment and reduced import dependency.
The South-South, with its fertile fishing grounds, he said, will play a defining role in achieving self-sufficiency in seafood production — one of the strategic priorities of President Bola Tinubu’s Blue Economy Policy Framework.
Human Capital: Maritime Education as a Growth Engine
Highlighting the role of education in maritime transformation, Oyetola referenced key regional institutions such as the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron and the Maritime University in Okerenkoko as drivers of technical expertise and innovation.
These institutions, he noted, are already developing the next generation of marine engineers, navigators, ocean scientists, and port managers, equipping Nigeria to compete globally in marine operations, logistics, and governance.
“We cannot build a world-class maritime industry without skilled manpower. Our regional academies are essential to producing the experts who will sustain Nigeria’s blue economy growth,” he added.
Policy Direction: A Unified National Blueprint for the Blue Economy
Oyetola reaffirmed that the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy provides a structured framework for sustainable resource use, regulatory stability, and long-term private sector investment.
The policy seeks to harmonise national strategies across sectors — from shipping and coastal tourism to renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, and ocean governance — ensuring that the blue economy delivers inclusive growth for Nigerians.
“The Tinubu administration’s approach is not piecemeal but holistic — combining policy reform, private investment, innovation, and regional cooperation,” Oyetola said.
Partnership and Regional Integration
In response, SSDC Managing Director Ms. Usoro Akpabio commended the Minister’s leadership and vision for repositioning Nigeria’s maritime landscape.
She pledged the Commission’s readiness to collaborate with the ministry in implementing blue economy projects, particularly those that enhance trade integration, community empowerment, and environmental sustainability across the South-South region.
“The South-South has the capacity to drive national prosperity through the ocean economy. Partnership is the bridge between vision and results,” Akpabio noted.
She also proposed the creation of a Joint Working Committee between the Ministry and SSDC to coordinate programmes and strengthen technical cooperation on maritime infrastructure, fisheries management, and port development.
BRANDECONOMY ANALYSIS: The South-South as Nigeria’s Maritime Powerhouse
The South-South is fast emerging as the nerve centre of Nigeria’s blue economy transition, with a unique combination of geography, industry and human capital that positions it for long-term dominance.
1. Strategic Geography and Port Infrastructure
With the largest stretch of coastline and proximity to deep Atlantic waters, the region naturally anchors Nigeria’s maritime trade, offshore energy, and fisheries sectors. The proposed seaports and dredging projects could make it the Singapore of West Africa if fully realised.
2. Maritime Tourism and Coastal Prosperity
The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway could become Africa’s first integrated marine tourism corridor, connecting business logistics with leisure and local enterprise. With proper branding and sustainability controls, it could rival destinations like Kenya’s Mombasa or South Africa’s Cape Town.
3. Aquaculture and Food Security
With Nigeria importing over $1 billion worth of fish annually, the South-South’s aquaculture potential offers both economic diversification and environmental resilience, aligning perfectly with the global shift toward sustainable seafood systems.
4. Regional Integration and Economic Diplomacy
By linking the South-South to continental blue economy initiatives under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Nigeria could position itself as a maritime logistics hub for intra-African trade.
The Big Picture: From Coastal Wealth to National Prosperity
The blue economy represents a trillion-naira opportunity — and the South-South sits at its helm.
With strategic leadership, private sector participation, and community-based sustainability, the region could unlock new wealth streams that redefine Nigeria’s place in the global maritime economy.
Oyetola’s message is clear: the South-South is not just part of the plan — it is the plan.
The next decade will reveal whether Nigeria can truly turn its coastal advantage into a globally competitive blue economy powerhouse.
