Nigeria should prioritise the blue economy above all other sectors to drive job creation, reduce poverty and diversify from oil, according to a senior official at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

In an opinion piece, Chika Chukwudi — author of Blue Economy: Gateway to a Sustainable Future and a staff member of NIMASA — argued that maritime investment is no longer optional but a “strategic national imperative”.

She said Nigeria’s 850-kilometre Atlantic coastline and access to the Gulf of Guinea position it as a natural maritime powerhouse.

Yet, she noted, the sector contributes far below its potential to national GDP.

“A nation surrounded by water should not be surrounded by economic stagnation,” she wrote.

Why It Matters

Nigeria has long depended on crude oil revenues, leaving its economy exposed to global price shocks.

According to global trade estimates, more than 80% of world trade by volume is carried by sea — a figure experts say Nigeria has not fully leveraged.

Chukwudi argues that expanding ports, fisheries, aquaculture, shipping and coastal tourism could generate millions of jobs across skill levels.

From artisanal fishermen to marine engineers and port managers, she said the sector has unmatched employment capacity.

“If properly harnessed, the blue economy can become Nigeria’s largest employer of labour,” he stated.

Job Creation and Poverty Reduction

Poverty remains most severe in rural and coastal communities, many of which are located near water resources.

Chukwudi said investments in modern fishing techniques, cold storage facilities and export systems could raise incomes at grassroots level.

He added that women in fish processing and marketing, as well as young entrepreneurs in aquaculture, stand to benefit.

Diversification Beyond Oil

For decades, Nigeria’s revenue has fluctuated with oil prices.

Strategic port modernisation, indigenous shipping development and marine renewable energy projects could attract foreign investment and reduce capital flight, Chukwudi said.

She also pointed to opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), where maritime infrastructure could position Nigeria as a regional trade gateway.

Security and Regional Influence

Beyond economics, maritime investment could strengthen national security.

Improved naval surveillance and port systems may reduce piracy and illegal fishing in the Gulf of Guinea — a region previously identified as a piracy hotspot.

Some shipping operators argue that port congestion and high operating costs must be addressed before Nigeria can compete with other African maritime hubs.

What’s Next?

Chukwudi called for prioritising maritime education, strengthening institutions and expanding coastal infrastructure.

She urged the Federal Government to finance aquaculture enterprises and support indigenous shipping lines.

“The blue economy is not just another sector; it is a sleeping giant,” she wrote. “Nigeria’s prosperity lies not only beneath its soil, but upon its waters.”

Whether policymakers will elevate maritime investment above competing priorities remains to be seen.

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officials have inspected transit operations along the Tsamiya–Segbana–Kamba corridor in Kebbi State, following the reopening of the border for international trade.

The inspection was led on Monday by the Customs Area Controller for Kebbi Command, Comptroller Mahmoud Matawalle Ibrahim, alongside Comptroller Aminu Sule of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B.

It was aimed at ensuring that only legitimate transit goods move through the route, without diversion into Nigeria’s local markets.

Why it matters

The Tsamiya–Segbana corridor links Nigeria to Benin and Niger Republics, serving as a strategic route for regional trade under ECOWAS transit arrangements.

Authorities say poor monitoring in the past allowed smuggling and diversion of goods, costing governments revenue and undermining fair trade.

The border was reopened following approval by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as part of wider efforts to balance trade facilitation with border security.

What customs officials are saying

Addressing stakeholders during the inspection, Comptroller Matawalle said the exercise was designed to enforce approved transit procedures across Nigeria’s international borders.

“The purpose of this assignment is to ensure strict compliance with approved procedures governing the transit of legitimate goods across the international borders of Benin and Niger Republics through Kebbi State,” he said.

He stressed that transit trucks must not be diverted from their approved destinations for local consumption.

The comptroller also appealed to traditional rulers and host communities to work with customs officers to ensure smooth truck movement and a peaceful operational environment.

Security and enforcement assurances

Comptroller Aminu Sule, who represents the Federal Operations Unit, assured stakeholders of enforcement support along the corridor.

He said the Service would provide “the necessary assistance to facilitate trade across international borders, in line with its mandate.”

The FOU is responsible for intercepting smuggled goods and enforcing compliance beyond border posts.

Regional and diplomatic reactions

Officials from neighbouring countries welcomed the reopening of the corridor and Nigeria’s renewed engagement.

Customs representatives from Benin and Niger Republics expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Kebbi State Government, and the Comptroller-General of Customs for approving the transit arrangement.

They said the decision had created space for dialogue and improved regional cooperation.

Community and stakeholder response

The District Head of Kamba, Alhaji Mamuda Zarumai (Sarkin Shikon Kamba), described the initiative as beneficial to both local communities and the wider economy.

He pledged to caution residents to cooperate fully with customs officials.

He noted that the initiative was “for the overall benefit of Nigerians.”

Speaking for traders and transport operators, Alhaji Idi Bagudo, Chairman of Stakeholders in Kebbi State, promised full compliance with transit regulations.

He assured authorities that stakeholders would not condone any diversion of trucks from their intended destinations in the Niger Republic.

What happened next

The inspection ended with customs officers escorting transit trucks from Kamba across the border to Tungan Kado in the Niger Republic.

Officials say similar monitoring exercises will continue to ensure the corridor remains secure, transparent, and economically viable.

Nigeria loses billions of naira each year to congestion, paperwork delays, and inefficiencies at its ports—costs that are ultimately passed on to businesses and consumers.

Reducing cargo dwell time is seen as critical to lowering import costs, boosting trade competitiveness, and improving the ease of doing business.

What’s happening

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), working with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has concluded a three-day stakeholder engagement aimed at reducing cargo dwell time to seven days.

The meeting, held at the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa, brought together regulators and private sector operators under the Business Environment Enhancement Programme Accelerator (BEEPA).

It followed a “shadowing” exercise in which officials observed vessel berthing and cargo clearance processes at both Tincan Island Port and Lagos Port Complex.

Government’s position

Speaking at the session, PEBEC Director General Zahrah Mustapha said the focus was shifting from identifying problems to implementing solutions.

“Nigeria loses significantly every day due to operational inefficiencies,” Mustapha stated.

“These are not just numbers; they represent missed opportunities, jobs not created, and delayed economic growth. This reform is about resilience and unlocking the nation’s economic potential.”

She said the reform effort brings together regulators and private sector players to ensure transparency and accountability.

According to PEBEC, the goal is to reduce cargo dwell time while also improving vessel turnaround time at Nigerian ports.

NPA response and reforms

Earlier, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubakar Dantsoho, reaffirmed the agency’s support for PEBEC’s reform agenda.

He said the NPA is working with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to deploy a Port Community System (PCS).

The system is expected to serve as the digital backbone for Nigeria’s National Single Window, helping to eliminate manual processes and align port operations across agencies.

The NPA says this digital shift will reduce bottlenecks and speed up cargo processing.

Track record

The Ports Authority noted that it achieved a 100% success rate in implementing PEBEC reforms.

In 2025, the NPA ranked fifth among government agencies assessed, recording an 84.2% compliance score.

Officials say this performance provides a foundation for deeper reforms at the ports.

Industry and public impact

For importers and exporters, faster cargo clearance could mean lower storage costs, fewer delays, and more predictable supply chains.

What’s next

PEBEC and the NPA say the recommendations from the engagement will be rolled out in the coming months.

They aim to close gaps identified during the port inspections and create a more efficient maritime environment to support seamless trade.