Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, on Wednesday joined industry leaders at the 2025 CILT Nigeria Conference in Lagos to discuss leveraging the nation’s 853 km coastline and vast waterways.
The conference focused on how these assets can drive sustainable growth and create jobs.
A key theme of the event was the urgent need for a robust logistics and transport network to efficiently move both goods and passengers across the country.
Speaking at the conference, the Minister’s representative, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, the Managing Director of the NPA, affirmed that the Ministry is working under the President’s leadership to implement strategic reforms and create an enabling environment for the sector.
These include a $1 billion modernization plan for Lagos ports aimed at a paperless, high‑efficiency system, with parallel projects for other ports, plus enhanced security for waterways and the development of inland ports.
Persecondnews reports that the move is towards a greener operations, and the Nigerian Ports Authority recently signed an MoU with APM Terminals to electrify freight handling, targeting a significant cut in carbon emissions.
CILT’s expertise in port operations and logistics was cited as a key driver for the Blue Economy’s success, thriving within the conducive atmosphere fostered by the Ministry.
The conference agenda featured smart, green technologies, capacity‑building programs, and data‑driven planning to drive sustainable growth, with special emphasis on benefitting coastal communities, women, and youth.
Cross‑sector collaboration is expected to position Nigeria as a leading African maritime hub, leveraging the blue economy’s full potential.
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