Oyetola: FG poised for manpower devt to drive maritime, blue economy
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday said the Federal Government is committed to strengthening human capital and manpower development to drive Nigeria’s maritime and blue
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday said the Federal Government is committed to strengthening human capital and manpower development to drive Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy.
He noted that the future of the blue economy will be shaped not only by natural endowments but by the quality of human capacity developed within academic and professional institutions.
Oyetola made the remarks while inaugurating the Institute of Maritime Studies Building at University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.
The minister added that the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has prioritised manpower development in line with the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.
He said no fewer than 2,469 young Nigerians had been sponsored for training in maritime institutions across different countries.
Oyetola said these included the United Kingdom, Egypt, the Philippines, India and Romania, under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme.
He noted that 1,098 of the trainees have obtained Certificates of Competency.
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He stated that the Federal Government had commenced implementation of the Coastal and Inland Shipping, Cabotage Act 2003 and was set to begin disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund to qualified Nigerian shipowners.
The minister said the intervention was expected to create about 30,000 direct and indirect jobs across the maritime value chain.
He stressed that the ongoing modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, alongside procurement processes for upgrading ports outside Lagos, would generate an estimated 20,000 additional jobs.
"The future of the blue economy will be shaped not just by natural endowments, but by the quality of minds we nurture within institutions such as this.
“In a country where over 90 percent of trade is conducted through maritime channels, the blue economy remains a national economic lifeline,” he said.
Oyetola described the building project as a milestone in the efforts of the government to promote innovation and deepen expertise in the maritime sector.
According to him, the building, equipped with lecture rooms and administrative offices, demonstrates government’s commitment to knowledge-driven development and sustainable exploitation of ocean resources.
The minister urged the institute to strengthen research and innovation in fisheries and aquaculture to help bridge the nation’s annual fish demand gap of 3.6 million metric tonnes.
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Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola described the project as a reflection of the agency’s dedication to maritime capacity development and academia-industry collaboration.
Mobereola disclosed NIMASA had established partnerships with eight Nigerian universities, two international institutions and several maritime academies to strengthen manpower development.
He said the agency had so far trained 2,497 young Nigerians in world-class seafaring skills through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme.
According to him, the maritime sector depends not only on seafarers but also on competent onshore professionals in shipping logistics, freight forwarding, marine insurance, maritime law, ship brokerage and port management.
“This building represents a significant milestone in NIMASA’s commitment to maritime capacity development.
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“It reflects our belief that sustainable growth in the maritime sector can only be achieved through continuous investment in people,” he added.
Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola noted that the four-storey building was donated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as the first phase of the Institute of Maritime Studies complex.
She described the facility as a major investment in human capital development, with modern lecture rooms, laboratories and equipment to support practical training and research.
Ogunsola said the institute, established in 2013, had graduated over 2,000 students, while more than 400 students registered for the current academic session.
She stated that the institute offered postgraduate programmes in maritime administration, hydrographic surveying, maritime communications and navigation, environmental studies, and logistics.
The VC sought sustained support from government and NIMASA for the completion of the remaining phases of the institute’s development.
