World Maritime Day: Saving the Ocean for Sustainable Economic Growth, As Oyetola Lists Blue Economy Potentials, Says, ‘We Must be Stewards not Exploiters’
HE Adegboyega Oyetola CON, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy
By Felix Kumuyi
His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has once again reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to ocean stewardship, maritime security, and sustainable blue economy growth during the 2025 World Maritime Day celebration in Lagos.
Oyetola who spoke at the 2025 World Maritime Day event held on Thursday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, said the theme of this year’s commemoration – “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity” – underscored the urgent need for collective responsibility in protecting the ocean and unlocking its vast economic potential.
He stated that, “The ocean, covering more than 70 percent of our planet, produces up to 80 percent of the Earth’s oxygen, sustains billions of livelihoods, and carries over 80 percent of global trade. Yet it is under mounting threat – from pollution, overfishing, climate change and neglect”.
According to him, the message is clear: we must be Stewards, not Exploiters,” the Minister declared.
The Minister also highlighted progress so far recorded under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which included the modernisation of port infrastructure, adoption of sustainable maritime policies, and stronger regional frameworks for security and trade.
Similarly, he pointed towards the blue economy as a new frontier for diversification beyond oil and gas.
“From renewable ocean energy and marine biotechnology to sustainable aquaculture, the opportunities are vast. Our vision is to harness these possibilities to make the sector a leading contributor to Nigeria’s economy,” he said.
The Minister however extended special invitation to the diplomatic community, noting that “the maritime sector is a natural platform for international cooperation, and diplomacy is its strongest anchor.”
Oyetola urged Nigerians, maritime stakeholders, and the international community to recommit to protecting ocean resources and ensuring sustainability for future generations.
Furthermore, the Minister said it was in this spirit that Nigeria seeks a return to Category ‘C’ of the IMO Council.
“Our country has long been a key player in the global maritime industry, and it is time to assume our rightful place in shaping the decisions that guide it. With the strong and broad support already expressed by IMO Member States across continents, we are optimistic of success in the forthcoming elections in London. Our return to the IMO Council will affirm not only Nigeria’s commitment to the maritime sector but also our recognised leadership within the international maritime community’, Oyetola said.
He therefore at 2025 World Maritime Day celebration, urged all to renew their pledges to protect the ocean and harness its promise wisely and responsibly, as he stated that “Our obligation is to safeguard it. Our opportunity is to transform it for the benefit of generations to come,” he concluded.
Highlight of the event had several Goodwill Messages delivered by various stakeholders at the event, while prizes were also presented to school pupils and university undergraduates who won the essay competitions organised in commemoration of the Day.
For Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Director General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), while delivering his goodwill message at the event, thanked the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy for its leadership role in ensuring that World Maritime Day is celebrated annually.
Unfortunately, the NIMASA DG lamented that the blue economy remains one of the most underfunded sectors globally.
While quoting the World Bank which says, Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life below water) is one of the most poorly funded SDGs, with an annual financing gap of approximately USD 150 billion, he said it has been acknowledged globally that Public Funding will never be enough to close the gaps.
He however said that to scale up financing for ocean health and the sustainable blue economy, the private sector must get involved. We need the right regulatory frameworks, incentive structures and de-risking mechanisms to mobilise the private sector and bring investment to the scale that is desperately needed.
Also, he said with approximately 71% of the world’s surface is covered by oceans. He as well quoted the World Bank that the oceans provide a livelihood for nearly 3 billion people globally, noting that Nigeria is blessed with a vast maritime endowment providing extensive opportunities for investment and growth.
“For us, the ocean is the lifeblood of our nation, the gateway for over 80% of our trade, and a reservoir of immense biodiversity and resources. Its health dictates our climate, its security defines our sovereignty, and its potential holds the key to our future”.
While he noted that their Obligation lies in ensuring Environmental stewardship, Maritime Safety and Security, the NIMASA DG said Nigeria is strongly advocating for a just and equitable transition to net-zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions for Sub-Saharan Africa, Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries to ensure fairness and social justice. The plastic pollution crisis is also an issue we are addressing with our Marine Litter and Plastic Action Plan.
Furthermore, he said the nation is driving the implementation of IMO frameworks to promote a healthy marine environment in line with best global practices.
On the security front, Dr Mobereola said they are delighted that the Deep Blue project (Nigeria’s Integrated Maritime Security Infrastructure) has become a game changer in addressing maritime security in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea Area.
He also noted that the beauty and the diversity of the Ocean are not just captivating but continue to inspire all. “The opportunities in the ocean are vast and must be harnessed sustainably, from fisheries and aquaculture, renewable energy, shipbuilding and repair, tourism, to port infrastructure development among others”, he said.
“There is an old maritime adage that says, “Do not ever turn your back on the ocean; the tides and waves can sweep you off your feet,” he said.
While charging all to therefore view the Ocean as a national trust to be sustainably managed, he urged all revenant stakeholders to deploy their different roles to collectively safeguard the ocean as partners in progress, whether as government, industry or community.
On his part, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), who was represented, in his goodwill message appreciated the efforts of the Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Isiak Adegboyega Oyetola, who he said is his mentor and boss.
He noted that the 2025 event theme which is “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity”, aptly captures the increased responsibility placed on each and every one of us as stakeholders in maritime industry, to take frontline ownership of the ocean, on whose sustainability, the very sustenance of humanity rests.
According to his statement, “With over 90 percent of global trade, which accounts for half of the world’s economic output, the maritime industry thereby constitute an important economic driver, that helps to spur development and reduce poverty. Therefore, every member of the maritime, and indeed the global community, is directly or indirectly a beneficiary of the ocean. So, we are all duty bound to become more intentional and deliberate in our responsibility to protect the ocean and its resources.
“Beyond fanfare, there is need for every stakeholder here to rise from this celebration with a stronger commitment to take actions that makes the ocean cleaner. Indeed, making global port operations eco-friendlier and actualizing the other noble objectives of the World Ports Sustainability Program rests heavily on our shoulders as maritime stakeholders.
“Although, it is good to know as studies have shown that sea transport is the most environmentally friendly of all the transport forms, it is much more important, to acknowledge that we owe posterity a duty, to not only continually formulate and implement policy that protect the ocean, but to maintain as individuals, and institutions a behavioral pattern that places the highest premium on protecting the ocean.
He however pointed that all he had said is to establish the irrefutable fact that we are all beneficiaries of the ocean, and the time has come to give back to our dear benefactor, the ocean by protecting and making her cleaner, not just by talking but in specific and measurable action steps.
Whilst further assuring of the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Ports Authority under the leadership and guidance of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to the continuous promotion of port eco-friendliness, he reminded all of the enduring connection between humanity and the ocean.
He ended his address with the seminal words of John F. Kennedy that “We have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean”.
He stated that, as we indeed make up our minds to clean up the ocean for sustainability, we are making up our minds to clean up ourselves.
The Executive Secretary/CEO Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akuyima Akutah in his address, while applauding the development efforts of the Marine and Blue Ministry led by His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, also appreciated and recognised the various stakeholders and investors who in his words have been working relentlessly towards the growth and development of the industry.
Contained in the Shippers’ Council Executive Secretary statement issued by the Council is his warm wishes to all stakeholders in the maritime industry whose dedication, investments, and contributions continue to drive the growth of our industry”.
With the theme: Our Ocean, Our Obligation and Activity,, which he said aligned with the vision of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Akutah stated that it is in this spirit, the ports economic regulator remains proud to join all stakeholders at the World Maritime Day 2025 celebration.
It would be recalled that, the World Maritime Day, established by the International Maritime Organization, is celebrated annually to highlight the importance of shipping safety, maritime security, and the marine environment.
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