Experts urge states to embrace blue economy policy

By Anozie Egole

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Wasiu Eshinlokun, has called for the mobilisation of sub-national governments to adopt Nigeria’s National Policy on the Marine and Blue Economy.

Eshinlokun disclosed this last week in Lagos while speaking during the Second Quarter 2026 Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

He noted that the adoption of Nigeria’s National Policy on the Blue Economy is a significant milestone in the nation’s quest to harness the vast economic opportunities embedded in its maritime domain.

The lawmaker stated that the responsibility of the National Assembly transcends law-making, adding that it extends to creating an embedded legal and decisional framework that guarantees effective implementation of countermeasures and sustainability.

“Thank you for bringing together key actors to celebrate one of the most critical centres of Nigeria’s economy, diversification and sustainable development, the marine and blue economy. The adoption of Nigeria’s National Policy on the Blue Economy is a significant milestone in our national quest to harness the vast economic opportunities embedded in our maritime domain. However, the true nature of any policy lies not in its design, but in its execution. This is why the focus on mobilising sub-national governments is both necessary and urgent. From a legislative aspect, our responsibility in the National Assembly goes beyond law-making. It extends to creating an embedded legal and decisional framework that guarantees effective implementation of countermeasures and sustainability,” Eshinlokun said.

According to him, the Senate Committee on Marine Transport recognises sub-national governments as critical drivers of this policy because the practical realities of marine and blue economy activities- fisheries, inland waterways transportation, coastal tourism, marine conservation, and port-linked industrialisation- are largely situated within states and local communities.

“To this end, these are the key legislative imperatives that must guide the implementation of every policy. First, they are designed to strengthen existing maritime laws to align with evolving realities of the blue economy,” he added.

Eshinlokun highlighted that many of the nation’s legal frameworks were designed for traditional maritime administration and may not necessarily adequately address emerging opportunities such as marine biotechnology, ocean renewable energy, and blue carbon financing.