The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, represented by the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, on Wednesday said the blue economy sector promises a wealth of benefits for the growing youth population of Nigeria.
The Minister stated this at the 2024 International Conference, titled, ‘Advancing Entrepreneurship Education and Practice for Sustainable Development in Africa,” organized by the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Development Studies (IFEDS), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Other dignitaries at the Conference were the Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Adebayo Someone Banire, Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola and Dr. Richard Akinola, the Chief of Staff to the Minister.
The Minister highlighted the opportunities in the blue economy to constitute a spectrum of economic activities. Amongst these are maritime shipping; the construction and repair of ships; port infrastructure and services; coastal tourism; fisheries and aquaculture; generation of renewable energy offshore.
“Others are seabed mining; underwater cabling; marine biotechnology (in support of the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors); maritime education, research, and consultancy services; protection and restoration of marine habitats; water desalination and waste disposal.
He, however, called on academic institutions across the country to work together with the government to harness the numerous potential inherent in the nation’s ocean and coastal resources
According to him, the sector offered scope for innovation, sustainable growth, and fruitful entrepreneurial paths, saying the economic prospects offered by our blue economy are substantial and remarkable.
“Thus, the blue economy sector promises a wealth of benefits for the growing youth population of our beloved nation, offering scope for innovation, sustainable growth, and fruitful entrepreneurial paths. The economic prospects offered by our blue economy are substantial and remarkable.”
