Tinubu Unveils Bold Marine Security & Economic Blueprint, Orders Nationwide Security Audit to Unlock Nigeria’s ₦Trillion Blue Economy

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unveiled a sweeping new national security and economic blueprint designed to unlock Nigeria’s vast marine and aquatic resources, positioning the blue economy as one of the country’s most transformative engines for growth.

The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the announcement on Wednesday during a Presidential Parley with participants of Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Tinubu directed all ministries, departments and agencies to immediately review and implement the recommendations of NIPSS’ comprehensive study on blue economy development, describing the sector as vital to Nigeria’s long-term prosperity.

According to the President, Nigeria’s marine endowments — including an 853-kilometre coastline, rich fisheries, inland waterways and its strategic Gulf of Guinea location — provide a unique opportunity to drive revenue diversification, job creation and sustainable development.

“The blue economy offers a strategic pathway for diversifying our revenue base, creating sustainable employment and revitalising the ecosystems that sustain national development. If properly harnessed, this sector could become an anchor of shared prosperity for generations,” he stated.

Priority Areas: Port Reform, Aquaculture Expansion, Maritime Security, Tourism & Ocean Energy

President Tinubu outlined key focus areas under the new framework, including:

Expansion of aquaculture and fisheries

Modernisation of ports and maritime corridors

Growth of coastal and marine tourism

Development of marine biotechnology

Investment in renewable ocean energy

He noted that the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was a foundational step but stressed that more reforms are needed to fix port inefficiencies, strengthen maritime security and attract private-sector investment.

President Orders National Security Diagnostic

A major highlight of the announcement was the President’s directive to NIPSS to conduct a nationwide security diagnostic and produce actionable reforms for Nigeria’s security architecture.

“These threats are real, and this Administration is taking decisive steps to address them,” Tinubu warned, listing oil theft, illegal fishing, smuggling, vandalism and kidnapping as continued threats despite reduced piracy under the Deep Blue Project.

He assured that the upcoming security policy paper from NIPSS will receive “the utmost attention”.

NIPSS Commends FG, Presents Key Findings

Earlier, NIPSS Director-General, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, thanked the President for supporting the institute and revealed that their study, titled “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities”, relied on research across several Nigerian states and 14 countries.

Colonel Murkar Dauda, presenting highlights of the report, applauded the government for addressing gaps in the sector but noted challenges related to governance, institutional coordination and substandard infrastructure.

Key Recommendations from NIPSS

The report advised the Federal Government to:

Launch a National Fisheries Expansion Programme to boost fish production from 1.2 million metric tonnes to 10 million metric tonnes within two years.

Develop a marine and blue economy financing framework to unlock new revenue streams.

Review and harmonize all legal, policy and institutional frameworks governing marine resources.

Establish a marine skills, jobs and social inclusion framework.

Enhance the safety and security of inland waterways.

The recommendations echo Nigeria’s ambition to tap into its multi-trillion-naira blue economy potential, creating new jobs and strengthening national economic stability.