By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Nigeria is set to lead regional blue economy policy development following the appointment of Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to advance cooperation among regional stakeholders. The initiative aims to promote sustainable use of shared marine resources and strengthen collaboration across the region.
Oyetola Welcomes Regional Leadership Role
Oyetola expressed appreciation to the Commission for the confidence it placed in him. He described the assignment as an opportunity to deepen regional cooperation and encourage the responsible use of marine resources.
Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of collective action in developing policies that support sustainable marine activities. The initiative also seeks to strengthen cooperation among countries that share marine resources.
Minister Proposes Steering Committee
To ensure effective coordination, Oyetola proposed establishing a Steering Committee to guide policy development. The committee would also coordinate stakeholder engagement and encourage broad participation.
Through this approach, relevant stakeholders could contribute to shaping a common regional policy. Their input would help align priorities and promote coordinated action across participating countries.
Regional Blue Economy Policy to Guide Cooperation
The proposed policy is expected to provide a common strategic direction for regional blue economy development. It could also support sustainable management of marine resources and improve cooperation among stakeholders.
Moreover, a coordinated policy framework could help participating countries maximise the economic potential of their marine resources. It could also encourage responsible practices that protect marine ecosystems while supporting economic growth.
The initiative highlights Nigeria’s potential role in promoting regional cooperation and sustainable development within the marine and blue economy sector.
