The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has restated his dedication to fully implementing the recently approved National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy. He urged senior officials of the ministry and its agencies to focus on performance, leadership, and collaboration.
Speaking at a sectoral retreat held on Tuesday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, Oyetola said the event was more than a procedural gathering—it was a pivotal moment for strategic reflection and alignment to support Nigeria’s economic transformation.
He emphasized that the Marine and Blue Economy sector now plays a central role in the Federal Government’s economic strategy under the Renewed Hope Agenda. This, he noted, requires swift, focused, and accountable action from all stakeholders to deliver tangible results.
“Our focus must now shift from planning to implementation,” Oyetola said.
He highlighted key progress areas including ongoing port infrastructure upgrades, improved operational efficiency, enhanced maritime security, developments in aquaculture, and the long-anticipated disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).
Oyetola described the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the national policy as a milestone that provides a solid foundation for long-term transformation of the sector. He urged ministry and agency leaders to translate the policy’s priorities into actionable programmes, underpinned by collaboration, technology, transparency, environmental stewardship, and institutional accountability.
A major highlight of the retreat was the signing of performance bonds by agency heads—commitments Oyetola said should go beyond symbolism to drive real progress in GDP contribution, job creation, port efficiency, and regulatory effectiveness.
The minister also reaffirmed Nigeria’s pursuit of a Category C seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council. While the ministry leads the diplomatic efforts, he called for active participation from all agencies to support Nigeria’s global leadership ambitions.
In his opening remarks, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, echoed the minister’s vision. He described the retreat as a strategic platform for breaking down execution barriers, enhancing inter-agency collaboration, and aligning efforts to position the sector as a key driver of national development.
Oloruntola praised the approval of the national policy as a significant achievement under Oyetola’s leadership, stressing that the focus must now shift to delivering measurable outcomes. He also highlighted the performance bonds as a crucial tool for fostering a results-driven culture backed by clear key performance indicators.
He commended the National Assembly Committees on Marine and Blue Economy, chaired by Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun and Hon. Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, for their consistent oversight and legislative support in advancing the ministry’s reform agenda.
The retreat signaled a clear transition from policy formulation to policy execution, with high expectations placed on all levels of leadership to fulfill the promise of a robust and thriving marine and blue economy.
