The federal government says the nation’s marine and blue economy offers vast, untapped investment opportunities, positioning the country as a strategic destination for foreign investors seeking sustainable growth.

Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, said this on Friday in a statement signed by his media adviser, Bolaji Akinola.

Mr Oyetola is being represented in London International Shipping Week 2025, by Dayo Mobereola, director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

Mr Oyetola said that Nigeria’s maritime sector had the potential to drive economic growth, create jobs and position the nation as a regional maritime hub. He urged African investors and other maritime investors and stakeholders to seize the vast opportunities to harness the sector’s immense opportunities.

“We urge investors to look beyond short-term gains and embrace the long-term benefits of investing in Nigeria’s fast-evolving maritime landscape. Our oceans and inland waterways are our lifeblood, our highways to prosperity and the very arteries that will fuel the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“Nigeria’s significant progress in maritime security: the success of the Deep Blue Project has eliminated piracy in Nigerian waters and contributed to a sharp decline in incidents across the Gulf of Guinea.

“Nigeria has recorded three consecutive years without piracy attacks in its territorial waters, a feat that has earned commendations from the International Maritime Bureau. This is proof that Nigeria is a safe destination for maritime investments,” he said.

Mr Oyetola said that Nigeria’s growing port infrastructure, with the landmark Lekki Deep Sea Port, stood as a symbol of public-private partnership success.

According to him, the state-of-the-art facilities and capacity berth the world’s largest vessels and Lekki Port is expected to serve as a vital trans-shipment hub for landlocked African nations.

The minister said that the government’s ambitious reforms were all geared towards positioning Nigeria as the maritime hub of West and Central Africa. He said that the government understood sea security was non-negotiable and remained committed to sustaining its security gains through technology-driven surveillance, strong legal frameworks and regional collaboration.

This, he said, would scale up trans-shipment operations for countries such as Chad, Niger and Burkina Faso, positioning Nigeria as the maritime hub of the sub-region.

Mr Oyetola called for support for Nigeria’s candidature for election into Category C of the IMO Council for the 2026–2027 Biennium.

“Our campaign is not just about a seat for Nigeria; it is about securing a stronger voice for the entire African continent,” he said.

Mr Oyetola called for collaborations within the African maritime sector for a secure, sustainable, and seamlessly integrated maritime industry.

(NAN)