Nigeria Targets Five Million Ocean-Based Jobs Through Blue Economy Initiative
The Federal Government has announced plans to create five million jobs from Nigeria’s maritime resources as part of efforts to maximise the economic potential of the country’s blue economy.
President Bola Tinubu disclosed this on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the 11th Our Ocean Conference held in Mombasa, Kenya. The president was represented at the event by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaye.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s coastline and maritime assets remain vital to food security, trade, energy development and livelihoods, stressing that the blue economy has become a key component of the administration’s economic diversification agenda.
“Nigeria’s ocean resources are central to food security, trade, energy and the livelihood of our people. The ocean is not only a source of prosperity but also a pillar of sovereignty, security and climate resilience,” he said.
The president noted that since taking office in May 2023, his administration had elevated the blue economy as a national priority through the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
He said the move reflected Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable management of ocean resources and the development of maritime industries.
Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s strategic position in the Gulf of Guinea and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and a rules-based maritime order.
He called for stronger regional cooperation among African countries to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, describing the practice as a major threat to food security and economic stability.
The president said Nigeria’s blue economy action plan focuses on expanding sectors such as fisheries, shipping, maritime tourism and renewable energy, with emphasis on creating opportunities for young people and women.
“We have launched a blue economy action plan aimed at developing fisheries, shipping, maritime tourism and renewable energy. This will enable us to achieve our pledge to create five million new jobs based on the ocean, prioritising youth and women,” Tinubu stated.
Maritime Security, Environmental Protection
Tinubu also stressed the importance of increased financing and technology transfer to enable African countries to fully benefit from their maritime resources.
He announced Nigeria’s commitment to expanding marine protected areas by 2030, restoring 50 per cent of degraded mangrove ecosystems and supporting efforts to eliminate single-use plastics.
The president urged international partners to support initiatives aimed at addressing marine pollution, climate change and other threats affecting ocean ecosystems.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s role in improving maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea through the Yaoundé Architecture, noting that investments in naval capacity and technology had contributed to a reduction in piracy incidents.
Tinubu said collaboration among governments, development partners, private-sector players and civil society organisations would be crucial to achieving sustainable ocean governance and unlocking economic opportunities.
He further called for stronger cooperation between Nigeria, Kenya and other coastal nations, stressing that the participation of women and young people would be essential to the growth of the blue economy.
“Our ocean is our common heritage, and its future depends on the collective action we take today,” he said.
The Our Ocean Conference, being hosted in Africa for the first time, brought together global leaders, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss ocean governance, marine conservation, climate change and strategies for expanding the blue economy.
