Tag: Oyetola

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to fully harness the vast potential of its marine and blue economy, describing the sector as a catalyst for sustainable national economic growth.

Speaking when he received a visiting World Bank delegation led by Mrs. Gladys Fajomu at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, the Minister said Nigeria is “on the right path to unlocking the immense economic opportunities of its oceans, seas, rivers, and coastal resources,” following the recent approval of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy by the Federal Executive Council.

“This policy is historic,” Oyetola stated. “It is the first of its kind, and it provides a comprehensive framework for sustainable exploitation, conservation, and governance of our marine and coastal assets. It will drive wealth creation, generate jobs, enhance food security, and position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s emerging blue economy space. Our goal is not just to explore the waters, but to manage them responsibly, ensuring that the benefits extend to every Nigerian, now and for generations to come.”

Highlighting food security as a key focus area, the Minister revealed that his Ministry is implementing targeted programmes to drastically reduce Nigeria’s dependence on fish importation.

Read Also: Oyetola: Nigeria eyes Africa’s top marine economy spot

“We cannot continue to import what we have the capacity to produce locally,” he said. “We are aggressively boosting local fish production by supporting aquaculture development, improving artisanal fishing methods, and expanding fish farming clusters across the country. This will not only save our foreign exchange but will create thousands of jobs for our people, especially in coastal and riverine communities.”

Oyetola further pledged to increase youth and women participation in the sector, noting that inclusive growth is essential to the success of the policy.

“We are designing initiatives that will give our young people and women the tools, skills, and access they need to play leading roles in the marine economy. This is not just about economic growth; it’s about social empowerment and equitable development.”

In her remarks, Gladys Fajomu, who led the World Bank team that included Ms. Yolanda Monteo and Dr. Felicia Mogo, commended the Minister for his leadership and for the bold steps Nigeria is taking in the sector.

She assured that the Bretton Woods institution would continue to support Nigeria’s marine and blue economy ambitions through technical assistance, capacity building, and financing options for strategic projects.

The visiting delegation also held focus group discussions with senior officials of the Ministry to identify priority areas for collaboration, particularly in policy implementation, infrastructure development, and private sector engagement.

With the new policy framework, international backing, and clear ministerial priorities, Nigeria’s marine and blue economy is set for a transformative leap — promising to boost economic diversification, enhance environmental stewardship, and deliver tangible benefits to millions of Nigerians.

The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, has denied claims that he and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, were indicted by the House of Representatives over a 2019 multi-billion-naira project.

Reports had surfaced following the summoning of the two officials by the chairman of the House ad-hoc committee on the rehabilitation and operationalisation of the Baro Inland Port, Saidu Abdullahi, alleging anomalies in the execution of the project.

Read Also: Oyetola reaffirms commitment to transparency in Baro Port

However, Oyebamiji’s media aide, Adebayo Adedeji, in a statement, clarified that neither the NIWA boss nor the minister had been indicted, stressing that they were only invited to offer clarifications.

“There are no corruption allegations against Oyetola or Oyebamiji as speculated in some media reports,” Adedeji stated.

He explained that the Baro Inland Port project was commissioned in January 2019, years before Oyetola and Oyebamiji assumed their current offices, and therefore, they had no involvement in the original contract.

The clarification aims to dispel what the statement described as “baseless rumours” and misinterpretations surrounding the legislative summons.

…FG to phase out rickety boats

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has disclosed plans by the federal government to introduce reforms in the maritime sector to end boat mishaps.

Oyetola, while emphasising the government’s commitment to making Nigerian waters safe for all users, revealed that the federal government was set to phase out rickety boats.

Oyetola, who said rickety boats were often implicated in fatal accidents, added that they would be replaced with safer, standard-compliant alternatives.

He disclosed this in Abuja on Friday when he received the report of the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria.

He said that the current spate of boat mishaps was unacceptable and preventable, and must be tackled through a blend of policy enforcement, stakeholder cooperation, and behavioural change.

The minister, in a statement by his media aide, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, said, “The safety of our citizens on water is not just a policy responsibility; it is a moral duty. Every life lost in a boat mishap is one too many. This report will serve as a foundation for immediate and long-term reforms. We will study the recommendations closely and act where policy adjustments or institutional coordination are required.”

Oyetola also said there was an urgent need for attitudinal change among water transport users, especially regarding the use of life jackets, describing such safety gear as non-negotiable.

He appealed to state governments and other sub-national authorities to align with federal initiatives. “The fight against boat mishaps cannot be won by the federal government alone. We call on state governments to collaborate with us in enforcing standards and saving lives.”

Read Also: Oyetola reaffirms commitment to transparency in Baro Port

The Minister also said he recently approved a nationwide distribution of life jackets to riverine and coastal communities as part of a strategic intervention to curb the rate of boat mishaps and related fatalities.

He urged the beneficiaries to prioritise safety by consistently and correctly using the life jackets whenever they travel on water.

The 16-member Special Committee, inaugurated by the Minister on 27th February 2025, was tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of commercial boat operations in Nigeria, identifying causes of boat mishaps, and proposing sustainable solutions.

The Committee Chairman and Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, presented the report to the Minister, outlining its structure and key findings.

According to Oyebamiji, the committee exceeded its initial six-week mandate to ensure a thorough and credible outcome.

The committee, in its report, recommended the establishment of a Coastal Guard to enforce waterway safety regulations; the creation of a National Boat Design Policy to standardise permitted vessel types; and mandatory certification and formal training for boat operators.

It also recommended increased funding for NIWA to strengthen hydrographic and marine engineering functions, and the setting up of search and rescue stations at strategic locations across inland waterways.

Oyebamiji said, “We adopted both physical and virtual meetings and created four specialised sub-committees to ensure a robust and practical report. We hope our findings serve as a blueprint for lasting safety in the sector,” he added.

The committee’s members include experts from maritime safety, academics, engineers, legal practitioners, and policy professionals.

They include Dr. Dayo Moberuola, Prof. S. Abiodun, Dr. Babatunde Olaosebikan, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, Hadiza Idris Kuta, Engr. Yahaya Farouk, Attahiru Maccido and Denis Tar Iyaghigba. Others are Gani Tarzan Balogun, Capt. Stan Chucka Igwe, Raiph Onoshakpor, Prof. Ibiba Douglas, Richard Ntan, Babatope Fajemirokun and Ofie Adams.

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Rehabilitation and Operationalisation of the Baro Inland Port has summoned the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, over alleged anomalies surrounding the multi-billion-naira project.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Saidu Abdullahi, issued the summons during a session held in Abuja on Tuesday.

He also directed NIWA to submit all relevant documents relating to the planning, construction, handover, and current state of the port, originally initiated to reduce pressure on the nation’s seaports and promote inland waterway transport.

The committee gave NIWA and the ministry a seven-day deadline to produce contract papers, project scope, payment records, inspection reports, photographs, and any official documents declaring the port operational.

“We need everything — full contract files, evaluation reports, and evidence of execution. We are not here to witch-hunt anyone, but we must get to the bottom of this. The Managing Director and the Minister are summoned to appear. We want a full financial breakdown. Someone must take responsibility for what appears to be a scandal,” Abdullahi said.

Read Also: Oyetola drops Gov ambition, urges APC aspirants to eschew bitter politics

He expressed strong concerns over the possibility of the project becoming another abandoned venture, despite the billions of naira already invested.

“This is a very serious matter. The House will not sit by while a project of this magnitude is wasted. We owe Nigerians the duty to ensure that such wasteful spending ends,” he added.

Lawmakers at the session voiced disappointment over inconsistencies in reports regarding the port’s completion and operational status. They questioned why a facility claimed to be completed and handed over remains idle, with no evidence of cargo movement or road access.

The committee resolved to rely on verifiable documents rather than oral assurances to determine the true state of the project. They insisted that the Baro Port, which was meant to decongest seaports and enable inland cargo transportation, must deliver value commensurate with the public funds spent.

“This is not about a witch-hunt. It’s about accountability. The people deserve to know what happened to their money,” a member said.

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) attributed the continued non-operation of the multi-billion-naira Baro Inland Port to severe access limitations, siltation of the waterways, vandalised rail links, and security vulnerabilities, despite the project’s physical completion.

Speaking on behalf of the NIWA Managing Director during the meeting, General Manager, Ports and Environmental Services, Agbahe Fidelis, said the facility, although commissioned in 2019 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, has remained idle due to a combination of critical infrastructure deficits.

The committee also resolved to pay a follow-up visit to the Baro Port for further independent assessment and verification.

It demanded that agencies, such as the Ministry of Works and the Nigeria Railway Corporation, that failed to show up for the meeting, must ensure they attend the next one.