Delta State Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori
By Dianabasi Effiong
The creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a sure way of accelerating the economic growth of the country, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has said.
Oborevwori said this on Monday in an address read on his behalf by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, when participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, 2025, of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, visited him in Asaba.
He urged the delegation of the NIPSS Study Team, on a tour of the State, to develop policies that would make the blue economy a major source of income for Nigeria.
He said, “The creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a commendable and strategic step forward.
“The theme of your study tour, ‘Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities,’ addresses a sector with immense potential that remains largely under-explored in Nigeria.
“In 2017, the World Bank defined the Blue Economy as ‘the sustainable use of the ocean to resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems;’ while many countries have significantly leveraged this sector as a major source of income, Nigeria is yet to fully harness its vast opportunities.
“Your focus on this theme is therefore timely and highly relevant.
“Delta State, with approximately 160 kilometres of coastline and a network of creeks, rivers, and estuaries forming part of the Niger Delta, is richly endowed with marine biodiversity.
“The state is home to economically valuable species such as the Lesser African Threadfin, crabs, blue mussels, and other aquatic resources.
“As part of its short-term development strategy, the Delta State 2023 Transition Committee recommended the establishment of a technical committee to engage with stakeholders, including the Federal Government and private investors, to revitalise the state’s four ports – Koko
Warri, Burutu, and Sapele.
“The objective is to reinvigorate maritime activity, generate employment, and position Delta State as a key player in Nigeria’s emerging Blue Economy.
“As you develop your policy recommendations, I urge you to pay particular attention to Marine transportation; Coastal and marine tourism; Blue energy (offshore wind, tidal, wave, etc.); Blue research and innovation (including marine biotechnology and oceanography)
“It is important to note that maritime shipping and navigation are currently on the Exclusive Legislative List in the 1999 Constitution. An amendment to this provision has been proposed to enable States to fully exploit the economic potential of their waterways and coastlines.
“Major economic activities in Delta State related to the Blue Economy include:
Transportation and trade
Fishing and aquaculture
Maritime industries (including boat building)
Local gin production from raffia palm
Regattas and other socio-economic and cultural festivals
Oil exploration and exploitation
“I trust that this study tour will generate innovative strategies and actionable recommendations that will accelerate the growth and development of the Blue Economy in Nigeria.
“In support of your efforts, the Delta State Government, through its relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, in collaboration with key stakeholders, will provide valuable insights and perspectives.
“You will receive detailed briefings on the State’s ongoing initiatives to promote the Blue Economy, and arrangements have been made for guided visits to selected sites and establishments aligned with the objectives of your study tour.
“Delta State possesses vast potential in areas such as aquaculture and fisheries, marine biotechnology, maritime transportation, seabed mining, coastal tourism, and ocean or blue energy.
“With deliberate policies, strategic investments, robust legislation, and a sound regulatory framework, these resources can be unlocked to drive the sustainable growth and prosperity of our great nation.”
Earlier, the leader of the team, DIG Leye Oyebade (Rtd), said that the Senior Executive Course of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies is the core course that serves as the think tank of the country in terms of policy formulation, strategies, and implementation.
DIG Oyebade said that with this year’s theme; “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria”, the Participants Of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, 2025, Of The National Institute For Policy And Strategic Studies (NIPSS), core mandate was to research to bring out the issues, the challenges and opportunities for the nation and States to diversity to blue economy.
He said, “This year we have been given a theme to work on, which is, Blue Economy.”
