President Bola Tinubu has unveiled an ambitious plan to create five million ocean-based jobs by 2035, positioning Nigeria to become a leading force in Africa’s blue economy while accelerating efforts to protect marine resources and strengthen maritime security.
Addressing delegates at the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, through the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, the President said Nigeria is committed to transforming its vast maritime assets into drivers of economic growth, employment and environmental sustainability.
Tinubu revealed that the government has launched a National Blue Economy Action Plan aimed at unlocking opportunities across fisheries, shipping, maritime tourism and renewable energy, with a particular focus on creating jobs for young people and women.
“Nigeria has launched a National Blue Economy Action Plan to harness fisheries, shipping, maritime tourism and renewable energy as drivers of inclusive growth,” the President said. “We are committed to creating five million new ocean-based jobs by 2035.”
He noted that Nigeria’s 853-kilometre coastline and strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea place the country at the centre of Africa’s maritime future, describing the ocean as a vital source of food security, trade, energy and livelihoods.
Tinubu said the creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy shortly after he assumed office in 2023 reflected his administration’s determination to unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s coastal and marine resources.
The President also pledged stronger measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, which he described as a major threat to food security and economic stability across the continent.
He called for greater regional cooperation, enhanced maritime surveillance and tougher enforcement to safeguard African waters.
On environmental protection, Tinubu announced plans to expand Nigeria’s marine protected areas by 2030, restore half of the country’s degraded mangrove ecosystems and support a continent-wide campaign against single-use plastics.
He urged the international community to intensify support for efforts to tackle marine pollution, warning that coastal communities remain increasingly vulnerable to environmental degradation and climate change.
Highlighting Nigeria’s maritime security gains, the President said investments in technology and naval capabilities had helped drive down piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, improving safety for commercial shipping and regional trade.
He also called for stronger collaboration among African coastal nations, development finance institutions, private investors and civil society organisations to mobilise sustainable funding for ocean-related projects and infrastructure.
Declaring that “our ocean is our common heritage”, Tinubu urged governments and stakeholders worldwide to work together to ensure maritime security, environmental stewardship and shared prosperity for future generations.
The three-day conference brought together world leaders, international organisations, environmental advocates and maritime industry stakeholders to chart pathways for sustainable ocean management, climate resilience and the future growth of the global blue economy.