The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr 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.
The Special Adviser to the Minister on Media, Dr Bolaji Akinola, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday.
Akinola said in the statement that the minister spoke on the topic: “Blue Economy: Maritime Sovereignty & Sustainable Valorisation.”
He said that the Summit had the theme: “Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth.”
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.
He said that the minister included the creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in August 2023 as part of government’s deliberate measures.
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.
“The agencies under the ministry have also achieved record revenue performance, generating N1.83 trillion in the 2025 fiscal year.”
Oyetola said that the Federal Government had approved a comprehensive port modernisation and upgrade programme expected to attract larger vessels and expand employment opportunities.
The minister added that government’s modernisation efforts would reinforce Nigeria’s position as the leading maritime hub for West and Central Africa.
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.
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.
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.
He stressed that the summit, widely regarded as a significant diplomatic and economic engagement, marked a new phase in Africa-France relations.
He added that this was particularly so, as it was the first Africa-France summit hosted in an English-speaking, non-Francophone African country.
