Oyetola reaffirms commitment to Marine and Blue Economy policy implementation

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday reiterated his commitment to accelerating the implementation of the newly approved National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.

Speaking at a retreat organised for senior officials of the ministry and its agencies in Abuja, Oyetola tasked top management staff with recommitting themselves to effective leadership, inter-agency collaboration, and measurable performance outcomes.

He described the gathering as a defining moment for reflection, realignment, and purposeful engagement, stating that the retreat goes beyond administrative formality.

The Minister explained that the retreat represented a crucial opportunity to evaluate the sector’s direction and reposition it for impactful delivery in line with national expectations.

Oyetola emphasised that the Marine and Blue Economy has been placed at the forefront of the Federal Government’s economic growth agenda under the Renewed Hope framework and that it is incumbent upon the Ministry’s leadership to drive this vision with urgency and discipline.

He also highlighted recent milestones, including ongoing efforts to modernise port infrastructure, the implementation of the National Single Window platform, improvements in port efficiency, enhanced maritime security, progress in aquaculture and fisheries, and the commencement of the long-anticipated disbursement process of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).

The Minister described the recent approval of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy by the Federal Executive Council as a foundational achievement that sets the strategic framework for long-term sectoral transformation.

He stressed that leadership across the Ministry and its agencies must fully internalise the policy’s strategic priorities and translate them into actionable programmes.

Again, Oyetola called for disciplined execution anchored in improved coordination, technology adoption, transparency, environmental stewardship, and institutional accountability.

He urged all agencies to treat the Performance Bonds signed during the retreat not as symbolic gestures but as serious commitments to deliver concrete, time-bound outcomes that enhance the sector’s contribution to GDP, expand job creation, increase port throughput, and improve regulatory compliance and revenue mobilisation.

The Minister also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing bid for a Category C seat on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council, describing it as a strategic national objective. He stressed that the Ministry would continue to lead diplomatic engagement and international outreach, but that every agency must play its part in showcasing Nigeria’s readiness to continue leading and contributing meaningfully to global maritime affairs.

In his opening remarks at the retreat, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Olufemi Oloruntola, echoed the Minister’s call for decisive action.

Oloruntola described the retreat as a critical platform for identifying and resolving barriers to effective execution, strengthening inter-agency synergy, and defining the specific steps needed to position the Marine and Blue Economy as a major driver of national development in alignment with global trends.

He noted that a key feature of the retreat would be the signing of Performance Bonds by Heads of Agencies, which would be tied to clearly defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This, he said, reflects the Ministry’s collective commitment to accountability, results, and service excellence.

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