Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has called for immediate and decisive action on the implementation of the recently approved National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Sectoral Retreat for senior officials of the Ministry and its agencies, held Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister urged top management to recommit to effective leadership, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, and delivery of measurable outcomes.
Describing the retreat as a defining moment, Oyetola noted that the event was not a mere administrative formality but a strategic opportunity to reflect, realign, and drive purposeful engagement across the sector.
He stressed that the Marine and Blue Economy is now positioned as a priority in the Federal Government’s economic growth agenda under the Renewed Hope framework.
Highlighting progress made so far, Oyetola cited milestones including ongoing port infrastructure upgrades, the implementation of the National Single Window platform, improved port efficiency, enhanced maritime security, progress in aquaculture and fisheries, and the commencement of the disbursement process of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF). He underscored that these gains must be built upon with urgency and discipline.
The Minister emphasised the importance of disciplined execution driven by better coordination, technology adoption, transparency, environmental stewardship, and institutional accountability.
He called on agency leaders to view the Performance Bonds signed during the retreat as serious commitments, not symbolic gestures tied to concrete, time-bound deliverables. These, he said, must boost the sector’s contribution to GDP, job creation, port throughput, and revenue mobilisation.
Oyetola also pointed to Nigeria’s ongoing bid for a Category C seat on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council as a critical national objective. He urged all agencies to support the campaign and showcase Nigeria’s readiness to play a more prominent role in global maritime affairs.
In his opening remarks, Olufemi Oloruntola, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, echoed the Minister’s call for decisive action. He described the Ministry as being at a pivotal moment under the Renewed Hope Agenda and emphasised that the focus must now shift from policy formulation to measurable delivery.
Oloruntola noted that the retreat would be instrumental in identifying and addressing obstacles to implementation, strengthening inter-agency collaboration, and establishing clear steps to position the sector as a driver of national development.
He highlighted that the Performance Bonds being signed by Heads of Agencies would be linked to specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), reinforcing a collective commitment to results and accountability.
He commended the Heads of Agencies for embracing this new era of performance-driven leadership and commended the guidance of the Minister, as well as the oversight and support of the National Assembly Committees on the sector.
