Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, took Nigeria’s blue economy campaign to the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, where he spoke on a high-level panel on “Blue Economy – Maritime Sovereignty & Sustainable Valorization.”
According to Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister, the summit convened African leaders, policymakers, investors, and development partners to advance discussions on innovation, economic growth, and strategic partnerships across the continent.
The panel also featured French Minister of the Sea and Fisheries, Catherine Chabaud, and other maritime stakeholders from across Africa.
Co-hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, the summit was held under the theme “Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth.” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu joined other African leaders at the event, which was billed as the first Africa-France summit hosted in an English-speaking, non-Francophone African country.
Oyetola’s participation comes as Nigeria steps up efforts to unlock the potential of its marine and blue economy resources.
The Federal Government created the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in August 2023 and has since developed Nigeria’s first National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy to guide sustainable sector growth.
Agencies under the ministry generated N1.83 trillion in revenue in the 2025 fiscal year, according to the ministry.
The government has also approved a comprehensive port modernization and upgrade programme aimed at attracting larger vessels, expanding employment, and strengthening Nigeria’s position as the leading maritime hub for West and Central Africa.