By Obiabin Onukwugha
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has called on the National Institute For Policy And Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, to develop policies that would transform blue economy to a major source of income for Nigeria.
He said the creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Tinubu is a sure way of accelerating economic growth for the country.
Oborevwori made the call when participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, 2025, of NIPSS, Kuru, paid him a courtesy visit at Asaba.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, noted that the theme of the NIPSS study tour, ‘Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities,’ addresses a sector with immense potential that remains largely under-explored in Nigeria.
Oborevwori revealed that Delta State, with approximately 160 kilometres of coastline and a network of creeks, rivers, and estuaries, is richly endowed with marine biodiversity and emphasised the need to develop the sector.
The governor said the state is home to economically valuable species such as the Lesser African Threadfin, crabs, blue mussels, and other aquatic resources, pointing out that Delta State possesses vast potential in areas such as aquaculture and fisheries, marine biotechnology, maritime transportation, seabed mining, coastal tourism, and ocean or blue energy.
“As part of its short-term development strategy, the Delta State 2023 Transition Committee recommended the establishment of a technical committee to engage with stakeholders, including the federal government and private investors, to revitalize the state’s four existing ports: Koko, Warri, Burutu, and Sapele.
The objective is to reinvigorate maritime activity, generate employment, and position Delta State as a key player in Nigeria’s emerging blue economy.
“As you develop your policy recommendations, I urge you to pay particular attention to marine transportation; coastal and marine tourism; blue energy; blue research and innovation, including marine biotechnology and oceanography,” he said.
The governor listed the major economic activities in Delta State related to the blue economy, which include: transportation and trade, fishing and aquaculture, maritime industries, local gin production from raffia palm, regattas and other socio-economic cultural festivals, as well as oil and gas exploration and exploitation.
“With deliberate policies, strategic investments, robust legislation, and a sound regulatory framework, these resources can be unlocked to drive the sustainable growth and prosperity of our great nation,” the Governor stated.
Earlier, leader of the NIPSS team, DIG Leye Oyebade, (Rtd) noted that the Senior Executive Course of the National Institute for Policy And Strategic Studies is the core course that serves as the think tank of the country in terms of policy formulation, strategies and implementation.
Oyebade stated that with this year’s theme; “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria”, participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, 2025, of the National Institute For Policy And Strategic Studies (NIPSS), core mandate is to do a research to bring out the issues, the challenges and opportunities for the nation and states to diversity the blue economy.