The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday unveiled the Adegboyega Oyetola Centre for Blue and Regenerative Economy at the University of Ilorin, a landmark initiative designed to promote research, innovation, and sustainable development within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The Centre, established by the University of Ilorin, was named in honour of the Minister in recognition of his pivotal role in advancing the nation’s blue economy agenda.
The unveiling formed part of the institution’s 1st Distinguished Lecture and Conferment of Award Ceremony, organised by the UNILORIN Centre for Advancement and held at the university’s auditorium.
At the same event, Minister Oyetola was conferred with the Honorary Fellowship of the Centre for Management and Leadership for his exceptional contributions to national development, visionary leadership, and dedicated public service.
The Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, also received an Honorary Fellowship during the ceremony, which was attended by dignitaries including representatives of the Kwara State Government, traditional rulers, members of the University Governing Council, the Vice-Chancellor, principal officers, academics, and students.
Delivering the maiden Distinguished Lecture titled “The Nexus Between Blue Economy and Higher Education for Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” Oyetola described the blue economy as a transformative pathway for sustainable national growth, underpinned by the responsible use of ocean, sea, and inland water resources.
He noted that Nigeria’s 853-kilometre coastline and extensive inland waterways offer vast potential for economic diversification, job creation, and food security — opportunities that can be realised through investment in education, innovation, and effective governance.
According to the Minister, the blue economy encompasses far more than the exploitation of marine resources; it integrates economic prosperity with environmental stewardship and social inclusion.
He identified key sectors such as maritime transport, fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, marine biotechnology, and renewable ocean energy as potential contributors to Nigeria’s GDP if strategically harnessed.
The Minister emphasised the crucial role of higher education in unlocking these opportunities, urging universities to align their curricula with industry needs, foster interdisciplinary research, and deepen partnerships with government and private sector stakeholders.
Highlighting ongoing reforms in the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Minister revealed that sectoral revenue had doubled from ₦700.79 billion in 2023 to ₦1.39 trillion in 2024 — achieved through improved efficiency and transparency rather than tariff increases. This, he said, reflected the impact of sound policy direction, inter-agency collaboration, and accountability-driven leadership.
He also pointed to capacity-building efforts such as the National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), which will train 1,000 young Nigerians annually for careers in the maritime industry.
Other major initiatives include the modernisation of port infrastructure, the development of new deep-sea ports across coastal states, and the expansion of aquaculture and fisheries to bolster food security and reduce import dependence.
Oyetola reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to public–private collaboration as a cornerstone of the blue economy strategy, citing the success of the Lekki Deep Sea Port and ongoing efforts to establish similar projects in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ondo, and Rivers States. These initiatives, he noted, are expected to enhance trade efficiency, generate employment, and attract substantial foreign investment.
Commending the University of Ilorin for its foresight in establishing the Centre for Blue and Regenerative Economy, Dr Oyetola described it as a milestone in bridging academic research with national development priorities.
He assured the university of his Ministry’s full support in achieving the Centre’s mission to advance sustainable marine management, policy innovation, and youth capacity development.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), congratulated Dr Oyetola and Governor AbdulRazaq on their honours, noting that the university was proud to celebrate individuals whose leadership has significantly advanced governance, education, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
The ceremony concluded with the formal unveiling of the Adegboyega Oyetola Centre for Blue and Regenerative Economy, which is set to serve as a hub for research, innovation, and collaboration in the sustainable management of Nigeria’s marine and coastal resources.
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