The federal government is to explore deep seabed exploration and mining activities to harness the vast resources of the blue economy and drive economic growth.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said this on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Oyeola described seabed minerals as the resources found on or beneath the ocean floor.

According to him, the government is committed to diversifying the national economy by capitalising on the global surge by harnessing the vast potential of marine resources.

“As a major oil-producing country with extensive coastline and inland waterways, we cannot afford to lag in this new frontier. This transition from a fossil fuel-based to a mineral-based economy presents opportunities for Nigeria to leverage its marine resources, particularly wave and tide energy, to generate clean energy.

“Effective harnessing of these resources will significantly contribute to our national`s energy needs and national economy,“ he said.

He said the workshop aimed to raise awareness among critical stakeholders on the importance of deep seabed exploration and exploitation and addressing the environmental and social implications.

He added that the workshop would also focus on ensuring effective marine environment protection from harmful effects that might arise from deep seabed activities.

Dayo Mobereola, the director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, urged all relevant stakeholders to join forces to navigate the new frontier of marine and blue economy collectively.

He further urged the relevant stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s deep sea resources contribute to the prosperity and sustainability of the nation in line with international best practices.

According to him, the deep seabed refers to the deepest part of the ocean, extending from approximately 200 meters to 11,000 meters deep, home to unique ecosystems and biodiversity.

He said it remained a largely unexplored frontier, with ongoing research and development aimed at understanding its ecosystem, resources and potential applications.

According to him, deep seabed mining is an emerging concept that could improve the economic activities of a country, which involves the extraction of mineral deposits from the ocean floor. He explained that the extraction of such minerals has metals such as copper, nickel, cobalt, and gold crucial for modern technologies and green energy solutions.

(NAN)