President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reiterated Nigeria’s drive to fully harness the economic value of its ocean resources, projecting the creation of five million new jobs within the maritime sector while calling for deeper African cooperation to confront illegal fishing and growing maritime insecurity.
He made the remarks in a speech delivered at the opening of the 11th Our Ocean Conference held in Mombasa, Kenya.
Tinubu was represented at the event by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye.
The President said Nigeria’s vast maritime endowment remains central to key sectors such as food supply, commerce, energy and employment, adding that the administration’s blue economy strategy is a cornerstone of its national development agenda.
“Our ocean resources are central to food security, trade, energy and the livelihood of Nigeria. For Nigeria, the ocean is not only a source of prosperity but also a pillar of sovereignty, security and climate resilience,” Tinubu said.
He noted that since taking office in May 2023, his administration had prioritised the blue economy by establishing the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, a move he said reflects Nigeria’s determination to optimise its maritime assets while ensuring sustainable ocean governance.
Nigeria, with a coastline of about 853 kilometres, also holds strategic interests in the Gulf of Guinea, one of the busiest maritime routes globally.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and to rules-based ocean governance.
He also urged stronger African collaboration to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, describing it as a major threat to food security and economic stability across the continent.
He disclosed that Nigeria has introduced a Blue Economy Action Plan designed to expand fisheries, shipping, maritime tourism and renewable energy as engines of inclusive growth.
“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, and ensuring that ocean industries uplift vulnerable coastal communities,” he said.
Tinubu further called for fair access to financing and the transfer of technology to help African nations fully exploit their ocean resources, noting that the continent’s maritime wealth remains largely underdeveloped despite its vast potential.
On environmental protection, he outlined Nigeria’s commitments to expand marine protected areas by 2030, restore half of degraded mangrove ecosystems and take a leading role in efforts to eliminate single-use plastics across Africa.
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He also appealed for global cooperation to address marine pollution and other environmental threats affecting coastal livelihoods.
Turning to security, Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s participation in the Yaoundé Architecture for maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, urging enhanced regional collaboration through joint naval patrols, intelligence sharing and coordinated policy frameworks.
“Maritime security is inseparable from food security, trade facilitation and peace-building,” Tinubu said.
He added that Nigeria’s investments in advanced maritime technology and strengthened naval operations had contributed to a significant reduction in piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, improving safety for shipping and international trade.
The President also stressed the importance of partnerships involving governments, development institutions, private sector players and civil society in mobilising sustainable financing for ocean governance.
He expressed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Kenya and other African coastal nations to strengthen ocean diplomacy and drive regional prosperity.
aeTinubu further emphasised the need to expand the participation of women and young people in maritime governance and decision-making processes.
According to him, inclusive participation is essential to unlocking the full economic potential of the blue economy.
“Our ocean is our common heritage, and its future depends on the collective action we take today.
We stand ready to collaborate, to lead, and to contribute to building a continent where maritime sovereignty is respected, security is guaranteed, and prosperity is shared,” Tinubu said.