Ex-NIMASA Boss Seeks Framework to Boost Blue Economy
A former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mrs Mfon Usoro, has called for an integrated framework to translate Nigeria’s blue economy policies into measurable economic benefits.
Usoro made the call on Friday in Lagos while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration, with the theme,“From Policy to Practice”.
She said the theme aligned with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) focus on implementing regulations to deliver tangible benefits to seafarers, port workers, ship operators, and maritime administrators.
Usoro commended the Federal Government for establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in 2023 and developing a national policy approved in 2025.
She said the policy adopted a broad definition of the blue economy, covering oceans, coastal waters, inland waterways, rivers, lakes, wetlands, mangroves, deltas and dunes.
According to her, the policy reflects international perspectives while addressing Nigeria’s unique geographical features.
Usoro said Nigeria entered the implementation phase in 2026, requiring stronger institutional structures to achieve the policy’s objectives.
She identified five key areas covered by the policy as maritime trade, fisheries and aquaculture, marine resources, energy and environmental sustainability, and blue tourism and recreation.
The former NIMASA boss questioned whether the policy’s objectives were translating into tangible progress and called for clear performance indicators to ensure accountability.
She proposed an Integrated Blue Economy Ecosystem Framework to coordinate the activities of ministries and agencies across federal, state and local government levels.
Usoro also called for clearly defined membership of the Policy Advisory Council, suggesting the inclusion of ministers responsible for transport, finance, petroleum, environment, budget, defence and agriculture.
She stressed the need for experts and relevant stakeholders to jointly develop implementation strategies, agree on shared goals and commit to delivering planned programmes.
Usoro said Sections 36 and 37 of the NIMASA Act required the ministry and the agency to operationalise incentives for Nigerian shipping companies with national-carrier status.
She noted that Nigeria’s low performance in port logistics and liner shipping connectivity affected the global competitiveness of its ship registry.
According to her, translating blue economy policies into tangible achievements required a whole-of-government approach, with clearly defined responsibilities, coordinated implementation and measurable results.
In his goodwill message, NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said Nigeria’s maritime strength should be measured by its ability to translate policies into practical actions and measurable benefits for citizens.
Mobereola said Nigeria accounted for more than 46 per cent of port calls in the Gulf of Guinea in 2025, highlighting the strategic importance of its maritime sector to national economic development.
He listed recent achievements to include four years without reported piracy incidents, re-election to the IMO Council after 14 years, the lifting of the United States’ Condition of Entry and automation of the ship registry.
He said the achievements went beyond milestones, noting that safer waters boosted investor confidence, an improved ship registry enhanced the attractiveness of the Nigerian flag, and higher standards expanded opportunities for seafarers.
Mobereola called for sustained investment, stronger inter-agency collaboration and lasting partnerships among the government, private sector and maritime stakeholders to translate policies into action and economic prosperity. Nigeria’s 10-Year U.S. Dollar Bond Yield Falls 6 bps
