Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni, has advocated for urgent reforms and targeted investment to transform Nigeria’s maritime and coastal resources into engines of economic growth.
Mr Gbenga Oyebode who represented Senator wasiu at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) held on 13th November,2025 said that with the right policies and infrastructure, Nigeria can become a leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa.
Senator Sanni noted that the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy represents a critical step but emphasised that its success depends on strategic planning, private sector engagement, and modernization of ports and inland waterways. He highlighted the importance of multimodal transport systems linking seaports with industrial and agricultural hubs, and the adoption of digital technologies such as the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) to enhance efficiency, transparency, and revenue assurance.
He called for the development of a National Blue Economy Policy aligned with global and continental frameworks, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, stressing institutional coordination, regulatory clarity, and a legal environment conducive to investment and maritime trade dispute resolution.
Senator Sanni also highlighted the economic potential in fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism, renewable energy, and biotechnology, urging the integration of sustainable practices and community participation in all Blue Economy initiatives. He stressed that effective public private collaboration and technology adoption could transform Nigeria’s marine and coastal resources into sustainable drivers of industrial growth and national prosperity.
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