A Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Marine and Blue Economy, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, has attributed Nigeria’s maritime sector gains to the President’s vision.

Fakinlede said this on Thursday in Abuja during a strategic dialogue with a delegation of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER).

He said the creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy had provided the foundation for the transformation recorded in the sector.

The presidential aide also commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his leadership and administrative experience.

“When you have a very good leader leading you, all you have to do is run after that leadership,” he said.

Fakinlede, a professor of maritime technology and former World Bank senior adviser, outlined a strategy focused on mapping, protecting and harnessing Nigeria’s maritime resources.

He identified subsea minerals, offshore wind, subsea cabling, desalination and aquaculture as areas with potential to expand the country’s blue economy.

He said the Gulf of Guinea was valued by the World Bank at one trillion dollars annually, with Nigeria accounting for about 74 per cent of activities.

Fakinlede, however, identified foreign vessel servicing, underutilised inland waterways and fish imports as challenges requiring urgent attention.

He said about 80 per cent of the 4,000 vessels operating in Nigerian waters were serviced abroad, resulting in capital flight.

He also noted that more than 10,000 kilometres of navigable inland waterways remained underutilised, while fish imports cost Nigeria over two billion dollars annually.

Earlier, Dr. Amenya Kartay, who led the ABER delegation on behalf of its Convener, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, commended the Federal Government for developments in the maritime sector.

Kartay described the establishment of the ministry in August 2023 as a significant policy decision, citing revenue growth and reforms in port administration.

He said revenue in the sector rose from N700.79 billion in 2023 to N1.83 trillion in 2025, representing an increase of about 160 per cent.

Kartay also cited the approval of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy in May 2025 and the rehabilitation of port infrastructure.

Other milestones highlighted included the clearance of the Apapa traffic gridlock, the commissioning of the Funtua Inland Dry Port and progress on inland dry ports in Moniya, Ijebu-Ode and Jos.

He also cited four consecutive years of zero piracy in the Gulf of Guinea under the Deep Blue Project and Nigeria’s return to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council in Category C after 14 years.

The ABER representative further listed the operationalisation of the Regional Maritime Development Bank, implementation of a N200,000 minimum wage for shipping workers and efforts to modernise fisheries.

He said Nigeria had recorded fish production of 1.4 million metric tonnes, alongside full compliance with turtle excluder device requirements and a transition towards fibreglass fishing boats.

Kartay also highlighted the implementation of the Enterprise Content Management System and the transformation of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council into the Port Economic Regulatory Agency.

The delegation formally submitted proposals for the nomination of Tinubu as Grand Patron of ABER, the establishment of a Continental Blue Hall of Fame in Nigeria and an Africa Blue Ocean Guardians youth initiative.

It also proposed preparing briefing notes for the President’s investiture as Grand Patron at a future date.

ABER announced Fakinlede’s appointment as Patron of the Roundtable and expressed readiness to collaborate with the Presidency on policy advocacy, youth and women inclusion, blue finance mobilisation and knowledge exchange.

The delegation included Hajiya Madina Dauda Nadabo, ABER’s Director of Communication and Public Affairs, and Prince Ibiok, Director of ICT, Blue Council Africa.

•PHOTO, From left, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, SSA to The President on Marine & Blue Economy, Hajiya Medina Dauda Nadabo, Director, Communication & Public Affairs, ABER, Prince Ibiok Director of ICT, and Dr. Amenya Kartay, Head, Abuja Bureau and Chief of Staff to the Converner and Founder, ABER