The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has initiated crucial talks with financial institutions across Nigeria. The goal is to secure single-digit interest loans for the nation's fishermen. This strategic move is designed to enhance productivity, empower operators in the sector, and decisively tackle the challenges of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Minister Oyetola Outlines Vision and Achievements
Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, made this announcement during the Ministry's Fourth Quarter 2025 Stakeholders and Citizens Engagement in Abuja. He emphasized that Nigeria's vast coastline, inland waterways, and strategic location present unparalleled opportunities. These can be harnessed to drive growth in maritime trade, fisheries, aquaculture, logistics, and tourism, ultimately fostering inclusive economic growth and job creation.
Oyetola highlighted significant progress in the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector. He reported that local fish production has risen from 1.1 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes within the past year. While acknowledging this still falls short of the national annual consumption demand of 3.6 million tonnes, the Minister attributed the increase to targeted government interventions, better coordination, technology adoption, and improved sectoral planning.
National Recognition and Digital Transformation
The Minister also pointed to national and international endorsements of the Ministry's reform agenda. On the global stage, Nigeria's election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and its chairmanship of the Conference of Ministers of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea signal renewed confidence in the country's maritime governance.
Domestically, the Ministry's performance has been highly rated. Oyetola cited a 96 percent performance score from the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), positive reviews from the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and recent National Bureau of Statistics data ranking water transport among the top five fastest-growing sectors in the economy.
A cornerstone of the Ministry's modernization drive is the newly launched Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS). Oyetola described this digital platform as a strategic investment to enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery. "A digitally enabled Ministry is a more responsive Ministry," he stated, explaining that the ECMS will streamline workflows, improve records management, and accelerate support for investors and operators.
Civil Service Endorsement of Reforms
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, commended the Ministry for its transformative reforms. She specifically praised the successful deployment of the ECMS, describing it as a major leap towards paperless governance within the public service. According to her, the system will strengthen institutional memory, reduce bureaucratic delays, and improve overall accountability, aligning with the federal government's broader digital transformation agenda.
The high-level engagement in Abuja was attended by key maritime sector leaders, including the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, and the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola.
