The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said that Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents in its territorial waters in the last three years
This is even as Oyetola announced that the government has concluded plans to revive fishing terminals. He stated this in Lagos on Thursday during a One-Day Citizens/Stakeholders’ Engagement.
The event was themed, “Strengthening collaboration for effective implementation of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.” He added that the zero piracy incident within the period under review was achieved through the Deep Blue Project.
According to him, maritime security remains central to the government’s mandate. “Through the Deep Blue Project, Nigeria has maintained zero piracy incidents in its territorial waters for three consecutive years,” Oyetola said.
Oyetola emphasised that the achievement has earned the country commendation from the international community and contributed to regional maritime stability.
The Osun State former governor explained that the ministry has concluded plans to “revive critical fishing terminals, automate licensing systems, and incentivise responsible private investments in both artisanal and commercial aquaculture.”
He highlighted that the move is coming following the formal transfer of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to the Ministry. Oyetola mentioned that the sector is being repositioned as a key contributor to food security and rural livelihoods.
The minister highlighted that the approval of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy by the Federal Executive Council marks a critical turning point that provides a comprehensive framework to unlock value across the nation’s marine ecosystems.
He stated further that the National Policy on blue economy encompasses port infrastructure, maritime security, aquaculture, ocean governance, marine biotechnology, renewable energy, coastal tourism, and climate resilience.
Oyetola pointed out that the approval of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy by the FEC marks a critical turning point, providing a comprehensive framework to unlock value across our marine ecosystems.
He maintained that the policy encompasses port infrastructure, maritime security, aquaculture, ocean governance, marine biotechnology, renewable energy, coastal tourism, and climate resilience.
“Our gathering today is not ceremonial. It is a working forum designed to develop a strategic roadmap for implementation,” Oyetola added. He also stressed that he aims to design actionable frameworks, set implementation priorities, and assign clear institutional responsibilities.
Oyetola added that the ministry in collaboration with its agencies, has remained committed to the effective implementation of the ministerial deliverables assigned to it.
“I commend the team’s efforts across the ministry and its agencies. I urge them to remain focused and continue to pursue excellence in discharging their responsibilities. Let me state that the effective rollout of this Policy must be cross-sectoral, collaborative, and data-driven,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Ports Consultative Council, Bolaji Sunmola, applauded the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy. He stated that the policy is a transformative blueprint, promising a future where maritime assets become pivotal to job creation, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.
“We must intensify our commitment to local content enforcement as the nation’s ports must now prioritise indigenous participation in shipping, terminal operations, and maritime services,” Sunmola said.
