FG Highlights Untapped Potential in Nigeria’s Blue Economy

• The federal government plans to enhance the maritime sector through specialized training and certification programs, both locally and internationally
• Minister Adegboyega Oyetola emphasized the immense potential of Nigeria’s blue economy for youth empowerment and urged young people to pursue these opportunities

The federal government has urged youths, especially undergraduates, to explore job opportunities in the nation’s maritime sector. It also plans to enhance the sector through specialized training and certification programs locally and internationally.

In a keynote address at the University of Lagos’ Employment Clinic conference, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola emphasized the immense potential of Nigeria’s blue economy for youth empowerment. He encouraged young people to pursue these opportunities and contribute to the sector’s growth.

“There are many untapped potentials in Nigeria’s blue economy,” Oyetola said. “I urge the youth to explore these opportunities, follow their passions, and support the development of our blue economy.”

Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), assured that the agency would continue to invest in youth-targeted capacity development and projects.

The conference, titled “Blue Industry Career Insights,” was organized by the University of Lagos in collaboration with Employment Clinic, under the university’s Employment Transition Programme (EETP).

Oyetola encouraged students to leverage the maritime sector’s potential, contributing to the diversification efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “The blue economy is not just about the sea; it’s about the myriad opportunities within it. Our youth must be equipped with the skills and knowledge to harness these opportunities and drive Nigeria’s economic transformation,” he stated.

University of Lagos Vice Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola described the event as historic, designed to shape the career paths of undergraduates.

NIMASA’s DG also mentioned that the construction of the Institute of Maritime Studies at the University of Lagos is nearly 70 percent complete, highlighting the agency’s commitment to maritime education and development.