Tag: Oyetola

The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has launched its Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS), marking a major milestone in the Ministry’s digital transformation and institutional reform agenda.

The launch was jointly conducted by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, during the Ministry’s Fourth Quarter 2025 Stakeholders and Citizens Engagement held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The engagement, which attracted a wide spectrum of stakeholders from across the marine and blue economy value chain, was held under the theme: “Positioning Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy for Investment, Innovation and Expansion: The Pathway.”

Delivering his keynote address, Oyetola described the engagement as a defining moment in Nigeria’s drive to reposition the marine and blue economy as a critical pillar of economic diversification, growth, and global competitiveness.

He noted that the forum was deliberately designed to deepen transparency, accountability, partnership, and shared ownership of reforms in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking on the launch of the ECMS, the Minister described the platform as a strategic investment that goes beyond internal administration to drive efficiency, transparency, accountability, and improved service delivery.

“A digitally enabled Ministry is a more responsive Ministry,” he said. “Through the ECMS, we are streamlining workflows, strengthening records management, improving decision-making, and enhancing our capacity to support investors, operators, and partners with speed, clarity, and integrity.”

Highlighting the strategic importance of the sector, Oyetola said Nigeria’s extensive coastline, vast inland waterways, and strategic geographic location provide unique opportunities to harness maritime trade, fisheries, aquaculture, logistics, tourism, and allied services for inclusive growth, job creation, and regional integration.

He outlined key achievements recorded by the Ministry over the past year, particularly in fisheries and aquaculture, where local fish production increased from 1.1 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes.

While acknowledging that this still falls short of the country’s annual consumption of 3.6 million tonnes, the Minister said the progress reflects targeted interventions, improved coordination, technology deployment, and better sectoral planning.

Oyetola also disclosed that the Ministry has commenced engagements with financial institutions to provide single-digit interest loans for fishermen nationwide, aimed at expanding access to affordable finance, boosting productivity, empowering operators, and curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

On the international stage, the Minister noted that Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its emergence as Chairman of the Conference of Ministers of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea underscore renewed global confidence in Nigeria’s maritime leadership, governance reforms, and policy direction.

He added that the Ministry’s reform efforts have earned national recognition, citing a 96 per cent performance rating by the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), positive assessments from the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics ranking water transportation among the top five fastest-growing sectors of the Nigerian economy.

In her remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation commended the Ministry for its far-reaching reforms and notable achievements, particularly the successful go-live of the ECMS.

She described the digital platform as a significant step toward paperless governance, improved records management, and faster, more efficient service delivery within the public service. According to her, the ECMS will enhance institutional memory, reduce bureaucracy, improve accountability, and align the Ministry with the Federal Civil Service’s broader digital transformation agenda.

The event was attended by an array of industry stakeholders, including regulators, private sector operators, development partners, investors, and representatives from diverse segments of the marine and blue economy, all of whom reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the sector’s growth and sustainability. 

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has assured that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State are fully united and firmly backing the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 8, 2026, governorship election.

Oyetola, who is also the leader of the APC in Osun State, gave the assurance when the Chairman of the APC 2026 Osun State Governorship Primary Committee and Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, paid him a courtesy visit at his Ileri Oluwa office in Osogbo.

The delegation included members of the primary committee, among them the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Speaking during the visit, the minister described the APC in Osun as more cohesive than ever, stressing that the party is operating as a united family with a common objective of reclaiming the state from what he described as the poor governance of the current administration.

“The APC in Osun State is fully united and solidly behind our governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji,” Oyetola said. “Our collective resolve is to rescue Osun State and return it to the path of purposeful, people-oriented governance.”

He attributed the party’s growing strength and unity to sustained leadership and strategic engagement across the state, noting that the APC has recorded significant growth under his leadership, with hundreds of thousands of new members joining from other political parties.

According to him, the wave of defections includes notable political figures and serving federal lawmakers who have aligned with the APC’s vision for the state.

Dr Oyetola expressed confidence in the ability of Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji to deliver effective leadership and good governance, adding that the party’s choice of candidate reflects its commitment to competence, integrity, and development-focused leadership.

He also commended the APC national leadership for setting up a credible and experienced governorship primary committee, describing the visit by Governors Okpebholo, Aiyedatiwa, and other committee members as a clear demonstration of the party’s commitment to internal democracy.

Special Adviser to minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Bolaji Akinola, has dismissed as “baseless and misleading” allegations by a governorship aspirant, Iyiola Omisore, that the Minister, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, interfered in the party’s screening process for Osun State governorship primary.

In a statement yesterday, Akinola said Omisore’s claims were “totally false”.

He stressed that the minister had no role — direct or indirect — in the Screening Committee’s decisions regarding the December 13 primary.

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“Dr. Oyetola did not, and could not have meddled in the screening or in the affairs of the Screening Committee and the Screening Appeal Panel,” Akinola said. “These bodies are independent party organs empowered by APC Constitution to carry out duties without interference. Any suggestion of undue influence is wrong, unfair, and unfounded.”

Akinola stressed that Oyetola has always upheld fairness, transparency, and strict adherence to party rules.

“As respected leader of APC, Oyetola is committed to internal democracy,” he said. “He will not interfere where he has no statutory role.”

He urged aspirants to channel complaints through the party’s mechanisms.

Akinola reaffirmed the minister’s commitment to growth and stability of the party, calling all to act in the interest of APC and the people.

The Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Bolaji Akinola, has described as “baseless and misleading” the allegation by governorship aspirant, Senator Iyiola Omisore, that the Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, interfered in the screening process for the Osun State APC governorship primary.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Akinola said Omisore’s claim was “totally false,” insisting the minister had no role, direct or indirect, in the decisions taken by the party’s screening committee ahead of the December 13 primary.

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“Dr. Oyetola did not, and could not have meddled in the screening exercise or in the affairs of the Screening Committee and the Screening Appeal Panel,” Akinola said.

He noted that both bodies are independent organs empowered by the APC Constitution to operate without interference.

Akinola added that Oyetola has always upheld fairness, transparency, and respect for party rules, stressing that he would never interfere in a process where he has no statutory role.

He urged aspirants to channel any grievances through the party’s established mechanisms and reaffirmed the minister’s commitment to the unity, growth, and stability of the APC in Osun State.

Prominent traditional ruler in Osun State, Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Rasheed Odundun IV, has hailed President Bola Tinubu’s leadership,  and the commitment of Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Nigeria’s victory at International Maritime Organisation’s election in London.

In a statement  by the monarch’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Jimoh Olorede, Oba Olabomi lauded the leadership of Oyetola .

He described Nigeria’s election into the Category C Seat at IMO Council for 2026–2027 biennium as a confirmation of the minister’s uncanny ability.

The statement said Nigeria had been absent in the council for 14 years before Oyetola led the country to the position with other global maritime nations, especially those on Category C.

Aragbiji said: “Oyetola has also broken what appeared as “jinx” on the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) established by the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act of 2003, to promote indigenous shipping and reduce reliance on foreign vessels, but to which supposed beneficiaries couldn’t access for 20 years.

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“With Oyetola’s Midas touch and uncanny ability, there would now be provision of financial assistance for procurement of vessels, promotion of indigenous shipping in Nigeria, ship owners’ capacity enhancement, reduction in reliance on foreign vessels, increase in maritime capacity, and creation of jobs, among other benefits.

“Still fresh in our memories, the humongous and throat-slitting fiscal debt inherited by Oyetola as governor would have rendered Osun State continually incapacitated with inability to perform and maintain its statutory recurrent expenditure obligations, but for the former governor’s acumen and fiscal discipline with which he repaid close to 100 billion naira of the inherited loans in his single 4-year term, from 2018 to 2022, even as Osun State was receiving a paltry monthly allocation from the Federation Accounts.

“I’m so happy. By leading Nigeria’s campaigns, winning and returning the country to the envious IMO Category C Seat after fourteen years of absence, and by rebuilding world’s trust and confidence in Nigeria and in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our illustrious son, Oyetola, has again made us proud with his ingenious demonstration of bravery, courage, resilience, heroism, and patriotism.”

Nigeria says its return to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council will be used to secure a larger share of the global maritime economy, with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, declaring that the country’s fresh mandate comes with a business-focused agenda to modernise ports, strengthen maritime security, and scale up blue economy investments.

Speaking at an appreciation lunch for IMO delegates in London, Oyetola said Nigeria’s election into Category C reflects renewed confidence in the country’s maritime reforms and its constructive international engagement.

“This election is both a privilege and a weighty responsibility. It reflects a renewed vote of confidence in Nigeria’s constructive engagement and our commitment to contributing effectively to the organisation’s mission,” he told delegates.

He stressed that Nigeria will use its Council seat to advocate policies that support developing maritime nations, especially in capacity-building, regulatory stability, and access to maritime technologies. 

According to him, many African countries still struggle with compliance due to limited financial and technical capacity.

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Oyetola added that Nigeria’s presence on the Council offers a platform to shape global decisions affecting shipping in the Gulf of Guinea, where the country accounts for more than 70 per cent of maritime traffic. He noted that improvements in Nigeria’s maritime environment directly impact regional and international shipping.

He further explained that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry is driving reforms to reduce port inefficiencies, strengthen flag and port state administration, and improve hydrographic mapping for safer navigation. 

These measures, he said, are designed to position Nigerian ports for stronger competition across West and Central Africa.

“Safeguarding a safer, greener, and more efficient maritime environment is a shared global responsibility. Improvements in Nigeria’s maritime domain positively influence international shipping and coastal nations alike,” he said.

Industry analysts say Nigeria’s enhanced diplomatic visibility at the IMO could help unlock financing for deep-sea infrastructure, strengthen cooperation on maritime security, and boost international recognition of Nigerian seafarers. 

The move is also expected to support the country’s push for decarbonisation and digitalisation of port operations.

Oyetola stressed that Nigeria’s Council engagement will focus on accelerating maritime safety and security initiatives, including collaborations under the Gulf of Guinea framework. 

He also highlighted plans to expand seafarer development programmes and upgrade maritime training institutions.

“Nigeria’s contributions within the Council will remain forward-looking, inclusive, and solution-driven. The confidence shown by the international community strengthens our resolve to deliver measurable, beneficial outcomes throughout the 2026–2027 biennium,” he said.

The Minister praised IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez for his “professionalism and steadfast commitment to maritime development,” while also congratulating member states elected across the three council categories. 

He described the collective mandate of the Council as central to shaping the future of global shipping.

He reiterated that Nigeria will champion cooperation, transparency, and equitable growth within the international maritime system, especially as countries navigate emerging challenges such as decarbonisation pressures, technological disruptions, and marine environmental protection.

The London event closed with renewed diplomatic assurances as the Minister thanked delegates for their support and encouraged continued partnership.

“Nigeria looks forward to deepened cooperation and shared progress during its term on the IMO Council,” Oyetola added.

…as Oyetola, NIMASA, NPA get credit for strategic push

Nigeria’s return to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council after more than ten years has continued to attract widespread commendation across the maritime industry, with labour unions and media groups describing the feat as a turning point for the nation’s blue economy.

The country secured a seat in the highly competitive Category C for the 2026–2027 biennium, a development stakeholders say reaffirms Nigeria’s renewed global relevance in the maritime community and strengthens its position as Africa’s largest blue economy market.

The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), led by its President-General, Comrade Francis Bunu, described the victory as “a landmark achievement for Nigeria and its maritime sector.”

The union credited the success to what it called the focused and strategic leadership of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

Bunu said Oyetola “made the country proud by winning Nigeria into one of the seats of the IMO, projecting the nation among the comity of maritime nations across the globe.”

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He noted that the triumph was the result of “hard work, commitment, and foresight,” particularly the vigorous inter-ministerial campaign effort that helped Nigeria overturn its unsuccessful bids in 2011 and 2019.

The MWUN leader also commended the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, praising what he called the NPA chief’s “zeal and commitment” to driving sectoral development.

According to him, the synergy between the Ministry and key regulatory bodies such as the NPA “showed what is possible when maritime institutions work in alignment.”

He added that with sustained collaboration and strategic vision, “the sky will not only be the limit for the maritime industry.”

Bunu, a veteran sailor, also applauded the minister’s deep understanding of the evolving blue economy landscape, saying such leadership is crucial for Nigeria as it positions itself for greater participation in global maritime affairs.

“This one achievement for Nigeria in the IMO has put Nigeria in the positive spotlight of the global maritime world; thereby raising the country’s maritime sector standard,” he said.

Similarly, the Maritime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (MARCON) applauded Oyetola and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), describing the election as “a historic achievement” and a strong affirmation of Nigeria’s relevance in global maritime governance.

In a statement signed by President Ismail Aniemu and Secretary Olamide Osho, MARCON said the victory “reflects the focused leadership of Oyetola and the effectiveness of the strategic diplomatic engagement undertaken by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in collaboration with key maritime institutions.”

The association noted that the minister’s sustained engagement with IMO member states and consistent articulation of Nigeria’s maritime reform agenda were critical in securing votes.

“The minister’s clear projection of Nigeria’s priorities and coordinated campaign efforts were instrumental in securing the highly competitive seat,” the statement said.

MARCON also highlighted the role of NIMASA, commending the agency for the strong technical and institutional support that underpinned Nigeria’s bid. The group pointed to progress in maritime safety administration, improved regulatory compliance, strengthened capacity-building programmes, and enhanced security architecture in the Gulf of Guinea as decisive contributions to Nigeria’s rising global rating.

According to MARCON, “Nigeria’s election into the IMO Council is a recognition of the country’s improved maritime security profile and its growing adherence to international maritime standards.”

The association added that the development places Nigeria in a stronger position to influence global shipping policies and advocate for the interests of Africa and other developing maritime nations.

It urged the Ministry and NIMASA to leverage the IMO seat to deepen ongoing reforms, expand regional cooperation frameworks, and attract new investment into critical maritime infrastructure.

MARCON concluded by reaffirming its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable growth within the country’s maritime and blue economy sector.

With both labour and media groups aligning in praise, industry observers say Nigeria’s renewed presence on the IMO Council could serve as a platform for deeper reforms, stronger regional leadership, and an accelerated push for blue economy investment over the next two years.