The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said that Nigeria’s ambition to build a thriving blue economy cannot be achieved without a robust, efficient, and well-integrated transport and logistics system.
Oyetola made this known at the 2025 Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria Conference held in Lagos, where he emphasised the government’s determination to modernise the nation’s ports and improve logistics performance across the maritime and transport sectors.
Represented by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, the minister stated that the Federal Government is actively working with stakeholders to establish a paperless, technology-driven port environment aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing turnaround time, and curbing corruption.
“The promise of a thriving Blue Economy cannot be realised without a robust, efficient, and integrated logistics and transport system. The ability to move goods, people, and services seamlessly by sea, land, and air is the lifeblood of commerce and the foundation of industrial growth,” Oyetola said.
He added that Nigeria’s ports, shipping corridors, inland container depots, and intermodal connections are vital to achieving the country’s maritime potential and economic diversification agenda.
According to Oyetola, President Bola Tinubu’s administration views the blue economy as a key frontier for diversifying Nigeria’s revenue sources beyond crude oil. He explained that the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is part of a broader effort to reposition the maritime sector as a major driver of national growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability.
“We must ensure that our coastal and riverine communities benefit from the emerging blue economy, that women and youth find meaningful employment within its value chains, and that our maritime and transport infrastructure is developed in harmony with global climate goals,” he said.
The minister also restated his ministry’s commitment to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth through partnerships that balance economic opportunities with environmental and social priorities.
He assured that the ministry would continue to work closely with CILT and other stakeholders to advance reforms in port operations, marine logistics, and digital integration.
Earlier in her address, the President and Chair of the Council of CILT Nigeria, Mfon Usoro, highlighted the institute’s efforts to strengthen professional standards and collaboration within the logistics and transport sector.
Usoro said CILT Nigeria has, over the past four years, forged strategic partnerships with key industry and government institutions. Among these, she noted a Memorandum of Agreement with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, which allows cadets to graduate with both academic and professional certifications, making them eligible for chartered membership after gaining industry experience.
She also announced a partnership between CILT Nigeria and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding. The initiative aims to embed logistics and supply chain management principles into Nigeria’s public procurement processes, from planning to final delivery.
“Under this partnership, CILT will design specialised training for procurement officers in the public sector,” Usoro stated.
She further revealed that CILT Nigeria, in collaboration with the African Centre for Supply Chain, has introduced executive masterclasses designed exclusively for CEOs and top-level business leaders, to promote best practices in logistics and transport management.
Founded in 1919 in the United Kingdom, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport is the world’s leading professional body for logistics and transport practitioners. It has a presence in over 100 countries, including Nigeria, which established its local branch in 1958 and attained territorial status in 2014.
