Adegboyega Oyetola – Shipping World News Magazine

Nov52025 by adminNo Comments

Oyetola, South South Commission Set to Reactivate “Abandoned” Deep Seaports Completion Projects in the Niger Delta .

News Feature

The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday received in audience the Managing Director of the South South Development Commission (SSDC), Ms. Usoro Akpabio , in Abuja, where both parties reaffirmed commitment to strengthening collaboration towards sustainable maritime growth and regional development in the South-South. Ms. Akpabio commended the Minister for his visionary leadership and ongoing reforms in the maritime sector, noting that his initiatives were “repositioning the marine and blue economy as a new driver of national GDP growth.” “We see the reforms in port operations, logistics, and maritime governance that are enhancing trade facilitation, transparency, and investor confidence,” she said. “Our strategic role as a statutory regional...

Oct222025 by adminNo Comments

Port Harcourt, Warri, Calabar Ports Gear up for face lift as FG Begins Multi Milion Dollar Procurement Bids Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has disclosed that the Federal Government has commenced procurement process for the modernisation of seaports outside Lagos, as part of efforts to ensure balanced development across the nation’s maritime gateways. Oyetola stated this on Wednesday at the 2025 Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria Conference, themed “Enhancing Logistics and Transport for a Sustainable Blue Economy in Nigeria,” held in Lagos. Represented by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, the Minister said the ongoing port modernisation drive is aimed at upgrading infrastructure, improving cargo handling efficiency, and expanding capacity to meet global standards. “We are working closely with all stakeholders to achieve a paperless, technology-driven port environment that enhances efficiency, reduces turnaround time, and curbs corruption,” Oyetola said. “As part of this commitment, the Federal Government has approved a one billion US dollar modernisation project for the Lagos ports — a landmark initiative designed to upgrade infrastructure, improve cargo handling, and expand capacity to meet global standards. “In addition, the procurement process has commenced for similar modernisation projects at ports outside Lagos, to ensure balanced development across our maritime gateways.” Oyetola explained that the initiatives reflect the administration’s determination to boost logistics performance and competitiveness within the marine and transport sectors, positioning Nigeria as a preferred hub for maritime trade and investment. He further noted that through strategic interventions such as the Deep Blue Project, Nigeria has sustained a record of zero piracy incidents in the past three years. “Since the inception of the Ministry, we have focused on strategic reform and institutional strengthening. With the Deep Blue Project and other interventions, we are safeguarding our maritime domain to encourage investment and reduce the cost of doing business. I am glad to inform you that for more than three years, Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents on its waterways,” he said. The Minister also revealed that the government has developed a comprehensive 10-year National Blue Economy Strategy to align maritime, fisheries, logistics, and coastal development policies within a unified, sustainable framework. According to him, the Ministry is creating an enabling environment for private sector investment through regulatory reforms, public-private partnerships (PPP), and targeted incentives aimed at driving innovation and job creation across the value chain. Oyetola stressed that the Ministry’s overarching goal is to promote sustainable and inclusive growth — one that balances economic opportunity with environmental stewardship and social equity. “Our goal is not growth for growth’s sake, but sustainable and inclusive growth — one that balances economic opportunity with environmental stewardship and social equity,” he said. “Therefore, I urge CILT and its members to continue to champion the adoption of smart and green transport technologies; promote capacity building for young professionals and operators; advocate for data-driven planning in logistics management; and deepen collaboration with the Ministry and other stakeholders to align expertise with national priorities.” . Meanwhile, the President of CILT Nigeria, Mfon Usoro, announced a 242 percent increase in the Institute’s revenue over the past four years, reflecting the success of ongoing financial reforms and governance initiatives. According to her, CILT’s revenue rose from ₦7.8 million in December 2021 to ₦55 million in the third quarter of 2025, while its liquid assets grew from ₦17 million in early 2022 to ₦123 million as of Q3 2025. She attributed the growth to sound financial discipline, accountability, and strategic oversight, adding that all projects and expenditures now pass through the Finance, Budget, and Audit Committee for review. “Every disbursement request is scrutinised and audited quarterly. The outcome has been phenomenal,” she noted. Usoro revealed that the Council has approved the adoption of a modern Accounting Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to enhance transparency and streamline audits. She said CILT’s transformation agenda—launched in 2021—has focused on governance reforms, membership expansion, and digitalisation, all of which have delivered tangible progress. Established in 1958, CILT Nigeria operates under the global CILT network headquartered in the United Kingdom and serves as the professional body for logistics and transport practitioners in Nigeria. “Accountability and transparency remain our watchwords. The improvement in our financial standing reflects the confidence and trust of our members,” Usoro said. The 2025 annual conference brought together industry leaders, academics, and policymakers to discuss sustainable transport systems, digitalisation in logistics, and the Blue Economy.

News Feature

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has disclosed that the Federal Government has commenced procurement process for the modernisation of seaports outside Lagos, as part of efforts to ensure balanced development across the nation’s maritime gateways. Oyetola stated this on Wednesday at the 2025 Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria Conference, themed “Enhancing Logistics and Transport for a Sustainable Blue Economy in Nigeria,” held in Lagos. Represented by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, the Minister said the ongoing port modernisation drive is aimed at upgrading infrastructure, improving cargo handling efficiency, and expanding capacity to meet global standards. “We are working closel...

Jun62025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Nigeria in a Last Ditch Attempt to Grab IMO Council Seat . By Asu Beks.

Maritime, Misc, News Feature

Despite misgivings in certain circles that this might just be another wild goose chase, the Federal Government seems to have deployed its full diplomatic and maritime arsenal to grab an illusive category " C" seat at the International Maritime Organization, IMO.The elections are billed to hold in November this year. This time around, the campaign has a full Presidential endorsement as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has warned that failure would not be an option. " This administration is committed to a full, comprehensive diversification of the economy, and the Marine and Blue Economy sector has a crucial role in the realisation of this dream",he was quoted to have told Adegboyega Oyetola, who oversees the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry. Nigeria has made no fewer than nine unsuccessful at...

May92025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

New Marine and Blue Economy Policy: The Imperatives of an Implementation Committee . By Asu Beks.

Maritime, News Feature

A cheery news emerged from last Monday's Federal Executive Council meeting,FEC, Presided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It was to the effect that the Federal Government has approved a 10-year Policy framework for Nigeria's Marine and Blue Economy. The news attracted jubilation from stakeholders who for almost two years since the creation of the ministry have been groping in the dark about the policy direction and framework of the new ministry. For a country which had relied upon a sole commodity as its mainstay, this news couldn't have come at a better time. The world bank sees the blue economy as a vital opportunity for sustainable economic growth, improved livelihoods, job creation, while preserving the health of Marine ecosystems. The Blue Economy aligns with the world bank's goals ...

Mar32025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

MIMA 2025: Oyetola nominated for Marine & Blue Economy Pacesetter Award

Maritime, Misc, News Feature

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has been nominated as the recipient of the "Marine and Blue Economy Pacesetter Award" by Maritime Media Limited, organisers of the Annual Maritime Industry Merit Awards (MIMA). The award, according to the organizers, is in recognition of Oyetola's painstaking efforts to midwife the new ministry through his innovative leadership skill. In a letter signed by Elder Asu Beks, on behalf of the Editorial Board of Maritime Media Limited, Oyetola was commended for his engagement with critical stakeholders to develop a robust legal and policy framework, essential for navigating the complexities of the marine and blue economy sector. "As a thorough bred and a renowned technocrat, you have also been strategic in your drive to ensure th...

Jan292025 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Port Efficiency: National Single Window is the Game Changer…Oyetola

News Feature

The implementation of a National Single Window for Nigeria will improve port efficiency, improved revenue collection, and drive economic transformation, according to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. The Minister stated this on Wednesday in Lagos at the Stakeholders’ Forum on the Establishment of the National Single Window (NSW). The NSW project was launched in April 2024 by President Bola Tinubu as a pioneering cross-government system designed to streamline trade facilitation by integrating and syncing data from various government agencies to improve economic efficiency. Speaking at the event, Oyetola further stated that the implementation of the NSW project will further enhance trade facilitation in the country. “The implementation of the Single Win...

Nov132024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

IMO Category C Election: Oyetola inaugurates Inter-Ministerial Committee. …As Mobereola presents IMO instruments

Misc, Press Release

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has called for a comprehensive action in Nigeria's bid to be elected into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council, as he inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to promote the campaign. Speaking at the inauguration held at the Boardroom of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE) in Abuja on Tuesday, Oyetola said the campaign must be all-inclusive, taking into consideration diplomatic and operational strategies in soliciting votes to yield good dividends. He explained that, having lost out three times between 2011 and 2019 after its successful stints in 1975, 2001, and 2005, Nigeria is due to return to the Council to cement its relevance as a strategic Maritime domain and a stron...

Oct122024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

WHO IS AFRAID OF A FEMALE CEO IN OYETOLA’S MINISTRY OF MARINE AND BLUE ECONOMY?

News Feature

Why is the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, wary of naming Mrs. Chinyere Uramta, substantive Registrar/CEO of the Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (CRFFN). The Anambra-born Mrs. Uramta was appointed Acting Registrar/CEO of the Council on February 1, 2023 , upon the expiration of the tenure of former helmsman , Mr. Sam Nwakohu. Or is Oyetola being haunted by the "ghost" of Hadiza Bala Usman, the strong woman at the NPA who had a running battle with her former boss and benefactor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the former Minister of Transportation? Not many Nigerians can forget in a hurry the dirty fight between Amaechi and Hadiza Bala Usman who held sway as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer at Nigerian Ports Authority. Had...

Jun252024 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Former NIMASA DG, Jamoh commends Gov. Diri for establishing Blue Economy Ministry

Maritime, News Feature

The former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has commended the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, for the establishment of a State Ministry of Blue Economy to tap into the prospects in the ocean. In a letter addressed to the Governor, Dr. Jamoh, said the decision to create the Ministry of Blue economy was a step in the right direction, considering the enormous maritime resources open to the State and the strategic position of the Bayelsa in relation to the Atlantic. “In that light, I cannot agree any less with your Excellency, that; “the wealth of Bayelsa State lies in the Atlantic Ocean”, and the sooner the vigorous exploration of same commences through the new Ministry, the better for the citizens of the S...

Dec202023 by Asu BeksNo Comments

Apapa Traffic: Oyetola sets up committee to review E-call . Meets stakeholders in Lagos

News Feature

As part of efforts to reduce the Apapa gridlock and strengthen the E-call up system, Marine and Blue Economy minister, Adegboyega Oyetola has set up a committee to review the E-call up system and come up with measures to ensure the current abuse of the system becomes a thing of the past. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the minister's spokesman, Ismail Omipidan, on Wednesday morning, in Abuja. The committee is to review the Standard Operating Procedures for Truck Traffic Management along the Lagos port corridor. Omipidan Ismail who noted that the committee was expected to meet with other critical stakeholders in Lagos on Thursday for the review, quoted the minister as saying "every possible abuse of the system by human should be x-rayed and solutions provided with a vie...