The Federal Government has turned its attention to Lagos State’s acclaimed Blue Economy model, aiming to replicate its innovative water-based economic strategies at a national scale.
This move is being spearheaded by participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 57) from the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.
Their week-long policy tour in Lagos kicked off Monday, with high-level briefings and site inspections focused on unlocking the nation’s maritime potential.
In a keynote at the Lagos State Government House in Ikeja, the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, highlighted Lagos’ strides in harnessing its marine assets to drive commerce, transport, and environmental sustainability.
“Lagos is not just a coastal city,” she said. “It’s a living example of how the Blue Economy can transform lives. With over 180 kilometres of coastline, our future is deeply tied to the waters.”
The theme of the national study tour, “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Prospects,” mirrors Lagos’ core strategic agenda under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES PLUS initiative.
Among Lagos’ flagship achievements is the Lekki Deep Sea Port, inaugurated in 2023.
Touted as West Africa’s most sophisticated maritime hub, the port has significantly eased the congestion at Apapa and amplified international trade volumes through Lagos.
Additionally, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has expanded daily ferry services, built new jetties, enforced strict safety protocols, and enhanced the state’s marine emergency response infrastructure — initiatives that are already easing Lagos’ notorious traffic gridlock while promoting eco-friendly commuting.
Mrs. Salu-Hundeyin also underscored Lagos’ aggressive shoreline protection projects in vulnerable areas like Lekki and Badagry, and the promotion of marine tourism through public-private partnerships.
“From real estate developments like Gracefield and Orange Islands to the creation of leisure-focused smart cities like Eko Atlantic, Lagos is showing that water can power economic diversification,” she added.
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Environmental stewardship, she noted, remains a cornerstone of the plan. Ongoing waterway sanitation campaigns and marine waste reduction efforts are setting a standard for eco-conscious development.
The state, she revealed, is finalizing a formal Blue Economy policy framework, one that harmonizes economic ambition with ecological responsibility.
The Acting Director of Studies at NIPSS, Mrs. Nima Salman-Mann, reaffirmed the importance of Lagos in shaping national maritime policy.
“With oil revenues becoming less reliable, the Blue Economy is the next frontier,” she said. “Lagos is the pulse of this movement, and what we learn here will shape Nigeria’s future.”
Fourteen elite participants drawn from across Nigeria are part of the study delegation, expected to make policy recommendations for federal implementation.
“Our mission is clear,” Salman-Mann stated. “To discover how Nigeria can pivot from land-locked dependency to ocean-powered opportunity.”
As the week unfolds, all eyes remain on Lagos — the city redefining how nations can turn their waters into wealth.