The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has unveiled the enormous potential of the Marine and Blue Economy, emphasizing that Nigeria could unlock 350 million job opportunities and $2.5 trillion in annual trade revenue if these sectors are adequately harnessed.
The Director General of NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, disclosed this during a training session in Lagos, organized by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in partnership with the agency, aimed at enhancing the knowledge of Maritime and Defence reporters on maritime security.
NIMASA, a federal government agency responsible for regulating marine activities in Nigeria, highlighted the substantial economic benefits that could arise from this sector, which could address critics who have questioned the creation of various ministries and agencies.
Jamoh emphasized the significance of securing the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) as it is crucial to the development of the Marine and Blue economies in the coastal countries of the region. He assured that Nigeria would play its part in maintaining the security of its GoG corridor.
In order to make the Blue Economy flourish, Jamoh called upon the federal government to introduce fiscal and monetary policies that support the sector’s growth. He stressed the global potential of the Blue Economy, with projections of generating 350 million jobs and $2.5 trillion in revenue. Nigeria’s involvement is imperative to claim a share of these benefits.
Jamoh underlined the essential role of the media in educating Nigerians about the potential of the Blue Economy and in bringing international attention to the sector. He urged journalists to be mindful of the impact of negative reports on maritime trade within and around the GoG region and to focus on highlighting the positive aspects of maritime trade and the efforts of Nigeria and Africa to create a prosperous continent.
The NIMASA Director General highlighted that the 21st century is poised to be the century of the Marine and Blue Economy, which has the potential to diversify Nigeria’s economy away from its heavy reliance on oil and gas.
