Major stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector have called for strategic diversification of the nation’s economy through the development of the blue economy, as they gathered for a three-day conference in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The conference, convened to explore ways of harnessing Nigeria’s vast maritime resources, focused on job creation, foreign exchange earnings and reducing the country’s long-standing dependence on oil revenue.
Speaking at the event, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, expressed optimism about the state’s flagship Ibom Deep Seaport project, despite delays caused by difficulties in attracting investors.
Represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the governor assured participants that all regulatory requirements, certifications and approvals for the deep seaport had been secured.
He added that access roads to the port were already under construction.
“Ibom Deep Seaport is not going to be a white elephant project. We have met all regulatory imperatives.
This is the most natural seaport you can ever have in Nigeria, there will be no dredging of any sort,” he said.
Eno disclosed that the Nigerian Navy had initially considered using the site as the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command but later abandoned the plan.
According to him, the port would better serve the region as a commercial hub, helping to ease congestion in Lagos ports and open up trade routes to Nigeria’s hinterland and neighbouring Central African Republic.
He emphasized that the multi-billion naira project would require significant foreign investment, noting that the federal and state governments could not shoulder the financial burden alone.
Efforts are ongoing, he said, to attract investors to bring the project to fruition.
Beyond the deep seaport, the governor revealed that the state government has commenced a broad marine infrastructure programme aimed at revitalizing maritime transportation and stimulating economic activity along the state’s maritime corridor.
Ongoing projects include shore protection works, terminal buildings, passenger warehouses and cold storage facilities designed to support local fishermen and enhance sustainable economic returns.
Also addressing the summit, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, described the conference as both strategic and timely, stressing that the blue economy remains central to Nigeria’s diversification agenda.
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Represented by Rear Admiral Sunday Atakpa, Abbas noted that nosustainable development in the Niger Delta is closely tied to effective governance and robust security across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He recalled that the Nigerian Navy established the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria in June 2024 to strengthen knowledge and capacity-building in support of the country’s blue economy ambitions.
Highlighting Nigeria’s strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea, the naval chief said the nation is richly endowed with maritime resources that can drive national development if properly secured and regulated.
He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to safeguarding critical maritime infrastructure, enhancing maritime domain awareness, combating piracy, oil theft, illegal bunkering and other maritime crimes, and fostering interagency and international collaboration.
Stakeholders at the conference agreed that unlocking Nigeria’s maritime potential would require sustained investment, improved security and coordinated policy efforts to ensure long-term stability, investor confidence and inclusive growth across the Niger Delta and beyond.
