Oyetola Moves to Scale Up Deep Blue Project, Boost Local Fish Production, as Nigeria Records Zero Piracy
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled fresh plans to strengthen maritime security and expand Nigeria’s blue economy, with a proposed upgrade of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, popularly known as the Deep Blue Project.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, noting that the initiative has been instrumental in sustaining zero piracy incidents in Nigeria’s waters for over four years.
According to the minister, the Deep Blue Project—an integrated system combining air, land and sea assets with advanced surveillance—has significantly enhanced maritime domain awareness and rapid response capabilities. He said the project has restored investor confidence and repositioned Nigeria as a safer destination for global shipping activities.
Oyetola highlighted that the improved security situation has delivered widespread economic benefits, including increased vessel traffic, lower insurance costs, and stronger trade flows across the Gulf of Guinea, previously regarded as a high-risk maritime corridor.
He explained that the proposed expansion would consolidate existing gains and further position Nigeria as a regional leader in maritime security, while supporting economic growth tied to marine resources.
On fisheries development, the minister said the government is intensifying efforts to boost local production and reduce dependence on imports. He revealed that fish output rose from 1.1 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2025, marking the first significant increase in a decade.
“It is no longer sustainable for Nigeria to continue spending scarce foreign exchange on fish imports,” he said, adding that the ministry is working to revitalise fishing terminals and support artisanal fish farmers nationwide.
In a related development, Oyetola announced that Nigeria has secured approval from the United States for its Turtle Excluder Device (TED), a certification that now allows Nigerian shrimp exports access to both U.S. and European markets. He noted that the approval is expected to boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs and improve competitiveness within the seafood value chain.
The minister also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working closely with the private sector to drive investment and reforms in the marine and blue economy.
Earlier, NESG Chief Executive Officer, Tayo Aduloju, commended the ministry for developing a National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a strategic framework capable of unlocking the sector’s full potential.
Aduloju said effective implementation of the policy would enhance economic growth, create jobs, strengthen food security and position Nigeria competitively in the global blue economy space. He also praised Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the ministry and advancing economic reforms.
The meeting was attended by top officials of the ministry, including Permanent Secretary Fatima Mahmood and other senior government representatives.
Cover Photo Caption:
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Mahmood; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Dr. Tayo Aduloju, when the NESG leadership visited the Minister in his office in Abuja on Thursday.
