The Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Wasiu Eshinlokun, has called for the mobilisation of sub-national governments to adopt Nigeria’s National Policy on the Marine and Blue Economy.
Eshinlokun disclosed this last week in Lagos while speaking during the Second Quarter 2026 Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
He noted that the adoption of Nigeria’s National Policy on the Blue Economy is a significant milestone in the nation’s quest to harness the vast economic opportunities embedded in its maritime domain.
The lawmaker stated that the responsibility of the National Assembly transcends law-making, adding that it extends to creating an embedded legal and decisional framework that guarantees effective implementation of countermeasures and sustainability.
“Thank you for bringing together key actors to celebrate one of the most critical centres of Nigeria’s economy, diversification and sustainable development, the marine and blue economy. The adoption of Nigeria’s National Policy on the Blue Economy is a significant milestone in our national quest to harness the vast economic opportunities embedded in our maritime domain. However, the true nature of any policy lies not in its design, but in its execution. This is why the focus on mobilising sub-national governments is both necessary and urgent. From a legislative aspect, our responsibility in the National Assembly goes beyond law-making. It extends to creating an embedded legal and decisional framework that guarantees effective implementation of countermeasures and sustainability,” Eshinlokun said.
According to him, the Senate Committee on Marine Transport recognises sub-national governments as critical drivers of this policy because the practical realities of marine and blue economy activities- fisheries, inland waterways transportation, coastal tourism, marine conservation, and port-linked industrialisation- are largely situated within states and local communities.
“To this end, these are the key legislative imperatives that must guide the implementation of every policy. First, they are designed to strengthen existing maritime laws to align with evolving realities of the blue economy,” he added.
Eshinlokun highlighted that many of the nation’s legal frameworks were designed for traditional maritime administration and may not necessarily adequately address emerging opportunities such as marine biotechnology, ocean renewable energy, and blue carbon financing.
He stressed that the National Assembly must continue to support fiscal and policy incentives that encourage states to invest in marine infrastructure, inland water transport systems, and fishery values, noting that legislative backing for such incentives, investment guarantees, and public-private partnerships is very crucial.
He highlighted the importance of improving coordination among different levels of government: “We must develop legal frameworks that clearly define the roles and responsibilities of federal, state and local governments in implementing blue economy initiatives, thereby reducing overlaps and conflicts of interest. Fourth, legislative oversight remains a vital tool.”
The lawmaker emphasised that the Senate will continue to monitor the performance of relevant ministries, departments and agencies, particularly the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, to ensure policy implementation translates into measurable income outcomes.
“Fifth, there is the imperative of community inclusion. As lawmakers, we must champion laws and policies that protect the interests of coastal and riverine communities, ensuring they are not beneficiaries but active participants in the blue economy ecosystem. The marine and blue economy represents a strategic frontier for job creation, industrial growth, food security and revenue generation. But without effective sub-national buy-in, the national policy will not achieve its intended impact. That is why we must encourage all states,” Eshinlokun warned.
“As legislators, we remain committed to bridging the gap between policy formulation and practical execution by providing robust legal support, adequate appropriation and sustained oversight. I therefore call on the state assemblies to complement these efforts by domesticating relevant policies and enacting supporting laws tailored to their unique maritime and inland waterways potential. Finally, the National Assembly will continue to provide legislative support, policy oversight and strategic engagement to ensure that the objectives of these policies translate into economic growth, social inclusion and national prosperity,” he stated.
Earlier, the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Marine and Blue Economy, Olu Aladenusi, lamented inadequate support from the ministry to states.
“I want the minister to know that all the littoral states that are supposed to be implementing the policy don’t have enough support from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. We have been trying to domesticate this policy in all those states. But where is the way forward? There are a lot of openings now at the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy; we have the fishery departments coming to the marine and blue economy. You have to domesticate this policy at the state level. Then the instrument, the push from the Federal Ministry for us to do it, is not in place. We are asking for policy guidance from the ministry so that we can have a pathway at the state level, so that our path will be very smooth,” he said.
