President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The World Bank defines the Blue Economy as the “sustainable use of ocean resources to benefit economies, livelihoods and ocean ecosystem health”.
The Blue Economy is estimated to be worth more than $1.5 trillion per year globally. It provides over 30 million jobs and supplies a vital source of protein to over 3 billion people.
Opportunities in Blue Economy Activities
1 Maritime shipping
2 Fishing & aquaculture
3 Coastal tourism
4 Renewable energy
5 Water desalination
6 Undersea cabling
7 Seabed extractive industries & deep sea mining
8 Marine genetic resources
9 Biotechnology
Late last week, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry.
Jamoh said that with the creation of this “long overdue ministry” it will give a massive boost to plans and programmes the President intends to deploy.
While expressing optimism that the maritime industry is large enough to engage the teeming youths in the country adequately, he urged them to take advantage of the opportunities in the Nigerian maritime sector.
“The blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem. Blue Economy Activities include Maritime shipping, Fishing & aquaculture, Coastal tourism, Renewable energy, Water desalination, Undersea cabling, Seabed extractive industries & deep sea mining, Marine genetic resources, and Biotechnology.”
“Honestly, this ministry is long overdue, more importantly, to support the diversification of the economy. Efficient management and sustainable exploitation of the marine resources in our seas and oceans, no doubt, provide a veritable tool for Economic Growth.” Jamoh said.
