Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has said that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), is fully committed to promoting partnerships with industry players, driving innovation, and championing sustainability. He said that the federal government is to explore deep seabed exploration and mining activities to harness the vast resources of the blue economy and drive economic growth. The Minister said this in Abuja. Mr Oyeola described seabed minerals as the resources found on or beneath the ocean floor. According to him, the government is committed to diversifying the national economy by capitalising on the global surge by harnessing the vast potential of marine resources. “As a major oil-producing country with extensive coastline and inland waterways, we cannot afford to lag in this new frontier. This transition from a fossil fuel-based to a mineral-based economy presents opportunities for Nigeria to leverage its marine resources, particularly wave and tide energy, to generate clean energy. Effective harnessing of these resources will significantly contribute to our nation’s energy needs and national economy,“ he said.
Executive Director Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director of Manning, Naval HQ, Rear Admiral Sunday Atakpa, and the Director, Marine Environment Management, NIMASA, Mr. Heaky Dimowo, at the Stakeholders’ Sensitization Workshop on Deep Seabed Activities in Nigeria, held in Abuja
According to him, “Government-private sector partnerships are vital to unlocking the maritime sector’s full potential,” emphasising that effectively harnessing the vast potential of the nation’s marine resources is a crucial step in diversifying Nigeria’s economy. He stated that the transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to a mineral-based one presents opportunities for Nigeria to leverage its marine resources, particularly wave and tidal energy, to generate clean energy. He said that this shift could significantly contribute to the nation’s energy needs. He said the workshop aimed to raise awareness among critical stakeholders on the importance of deep seabed exploration and exploitation and addressing the environmental and social implications. He added that the workshop would also focus on ensuring effective marine environment protection from harmful effects that might arise from deep seabed activities.
Dayo Mobereola, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, urged all relevant stakeholders to join forces to navigate the new frontier of marine and blue economy collectively. He further urged the relevant stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s deep sea resources contribute to the prosperity and sustainability of the nation in line with international best practices. According to him, the deep seabed refers to the deepest part of the ocean, extending from approximately 200 meters to 11,000 meters deep, home to unique ecosystems and biodiversity. He said it remained a largely unexplored frontier, with ongoing research and development aimed at understanding its ecosystem, resources and potential applications. According to him, deep seabed mining is an emerging concept that could improve the economic activities of a country, which involves the extraction of mineral deposits from the ocean floor. He explained that the extraction of such minerals has metals such as copper, nickel, cobalt, and gold crucial for modern technologies and green energy solutions.
“Nigeria’s establishment of a full-fledged Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in 2023 demonstrates our commitment to diversifying our economy and capitalising on the global surge in deep-sea exploration. As a major oil-producing country with an extensive coastline and inland waterways, we cannot afford to lag in this new frontier,” said Oyetola. The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Oloruntola Olufemi, explained that the workshop aimed to raise awareness among key stakeholders in the sector about the significance of deep seabed exploration and exploitation.On his part, NIMASA’s Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the Agency in collaboration with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and relevant MDAs, will ensure Nigeria’s compliance with global standards.
Speaking on the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007, Dr. Mobereola noted that the need to amend the Act to reflect relevant provisions of the ISA’s model of legislation on exploration and exploitation could not be overemphasised. He acknowledged the commitment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIMASA to ensuring the full implementation of relevant legislative frameworks for the sustainable use of the marine environment and safety standards. “We remain committed to ensuring that relevant legislative frameworks on the sustainable use of the Marine Environment and Safety standards are fully implemented,” he said. In attendance at the Workshop were representatives of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), National Border Commission (NBC), International Seabed Authority, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, among others.
