Nigeria's Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday took the country's maritime investment campaign to the high-profile Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, where he advocated for stronger African partnerships on maritime sovereignty and sustainable development.
High-Level Panel Discussion
Oyetola spoke during a session titled "Blue Economy, Maritime Sovereignty and Sustainable Valorization," alongside France's Minister of the Sea and Fisheries, Catherine Chabaud, and other leading maritime stakeholders from across Africa. The summit, jointly hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, brought together African leaders, policymakers, investors, and development partners to discuss innovation, economic growth, and strategic continental partnerships.
Nigeria's Participation
Nigeria's President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also attended the gathering, which observers described as a major diplomatic and economic engagement aimed at deepening Africa-France cooperation. The event, held under the theme "Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth," is considered historic as it is the first Africa-France summit hosted in an English-speaking, non-Francophone African country.
Showcasing Reforms and Investments
At the summit, Oyetola highlighted ongoing reforms and investments by the Federal Government targeting the immense potential of Nigeria's marine and blue economy sector. According to a statement by Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, central to these reform efforts is the creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in August 2023. This move, the government said, has accelerated policy direction and institutional coordination in the sector.
Key Milestones
The Ministry noted that one of its major achievements is the development of Nigeria's first National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, which is expected to provide a strategic framework for sustainable growth and investment expansion. Additionally, agencies under the Ministry's supervision generated a record N1.83 trillion in revenue during the 2025 fiscal year, reflecting growing economic activity in the maritime sector.
The Federal Government has also approved a comprehensive port modernization and upgrade program aimed at attracting larger vessels, creating jobs, and strengthening Nigeria's position as the leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa.
