Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has underscored the importance of performance and accountability within his ministry, urging agency heads to treat signed performance bonds as binding commitments rather than symbolic gestures. He emphasized the critical role these bonds play in driving tangible results, specifically targeting increased GDP contribution, job creation, improved port throughput, enhanced regulatory compliance, and boosted revenue mobilization within the marine and blue economy sector. Oyetola’s call to action came during the 2025 Sectoral Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy held in Abuja, a gathering designed to chart the course for the sector’s future and align its efforts with national economic objectives.
The Minister reiterated his strong commitment to the comprehensive and swift implementation of the newly approved National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy. He challenged the ministry’s leadership and its agencies to embrace a renewed focus on effective leadership, inter-agency synergy, and performance-driven outcomes. Describing the retreat as a pivotal moment for reflection, realignment, and purposeful engagement, Oyetola stressed that it was not merely an administrative exercise but a crucial opportunity to evaluate the sector’s trajectory and reposition it for impactful delivery, in line with national expectations. He urged a disciplined execution of the policy, emphasizing improved coordination, technological advancement, transparency, environmental stewardship, and institutional accountability.
Central to the ministry’s strategic objectives is the internalization and operationalization of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy. Oyetola emphasized the need for leadership across the ministry and its agencies to fully grasp the policy’s strategic priorities and translate them into concrete, actionable programs. This operationalization, he stressed, should be anchored on a framework of improved coordination among different agencies, the adoption of advanced technologies, transparent processes, a commitment to environmental sustainability, and a culture of institutional accountability. These elements are crucial, according to the Minister, for achieving the desired outcomes and maximizing the sector’s potential contribution to national development.
Furthermore, Oyetola highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing campaign for a Category C seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, a strategic national objective that underlines Nigeria’s ambition to play a more prominent role in global maritime affairs. He stressed that securing this seat would not only enhance Nigeria’s international standing but also provide a platform to contribute meaningfully to the development of global maritime policies and regulations. The Minister emphasized the ministry’s commitment to spearheading diplomatic efforts and international outreach to achieve this goal.
In support of this objective, Oyetola called for the active participation of all agencies within the ministry, emphasizing the importance of collective effort in showcasing Nigeria’s readiness and capability to lead and contribute effectively to global maritime governance. He emphasized that the success of this bid hinges on a concerted effort across the ministry and its agencies to demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to international maritime best practices and its capacity to contribute meaningfully to the IMO’s work. This, he argued, requires a cohesive approach that showcases Nigeria’s expertise, experience, and commitment to global maritime affairs.
Reinforcing the Minister’s message, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, echoed the call for decisive action and focused implementation. He noted the ministry’s pivotal role in actualizing the Renewed Hope Agenda, the government’s overarching development plan. Oloruntola stressed the importance of aligning the ministry’s activities with the broader national agenda and emphasized the need for a results-oriented approach to ensure that the ministry contributes effectively to the achievement of the government’s development goals. This alignment, he suggested, requires strategic planning, effective implementation, and continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the ministry’s activities are delivering the desired impact.
