News Investigators/ The Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) has urged the Federal Government to appoint the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy as the Coordinating Minister for the Blue Economy to ensure effective governance.
Iheanacho Ebubeogu, a Master Mariner gave this recommendation during NAMM’s First Quarterly Paper presentation held in Lagos on Sunday.
The lecture had the title “Governance of Marine Spaces in a Marine and Blue Economy Model – Issues, Challenges and Approach”.
Capt. Ebubeogu, an expert in maritime governance, emphasised the increasing complexity and overlapping responsibilities of various government agencies operating within Nigeria’s marine environment.
He highlighted the need for a centralised and empowered leadership structure, while commendinh the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the recent approval of the national marine and blue economy policy as significant advancements.
He, however, stressed that a more structured and authoritative governance framework is essential for Nigeria to fully harness the economic and ecological potential of its marine spaces.
Capt. Ebubeogu said that just as the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health function as coordinating ministries for their sectors, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy should be recognised as the coordinating body for the blue economy
Capt. Ebubeogu said that the growing complexity and overlapping mandates of various government agencies operating within Nigeria’s marine environment necessitate a centralised and empowered leadership structure.
According to him, agencies such as the Ministries of Petroleum Resources, Agriculture, Water Resources, Communications, Power, and Interior all have operational interests in marine spaces.
He said that without a clearly designated coordinating authority, these overlapping interests could lead to policy conflicts, regulatory inefficiencies, and unsustainable practices.
Capt. Ebubeogu advocated for a formal review of the ministerial designation, recommending that the title should be changed to Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and Coordinating Minister of the Blue Economy.
Capt. Ebubeogu said that changing to the recommended status would reflected to the leadership and necessary control for integrated marine governance.
The master mariner emphasised that effective coordination was essential for aligning national objectives with the principles of sustainability, economic growth, and environmental protection, key components of the blue economy framework.
He noted that the marine spaces served as the foundational platform for blue economy activities such as fisheries, tourism, marine transport, offshore energy, and aquaculture were built.
Similarly, President of NAMM, Capt. Tajudeen Alao, said such steps would be crucial for structuring and sustaining marine sector development in Nigeria.
He explained that the first quarter meeting was designed to engage stakeholders and deepen public understanding of the evolving concept of the marine and blue economy.
Alao, same professional with global experience, noted that Nigerian Master Mariners were not only well-prepared to support the blue economy drive but had been at the forefront of advocating best practices long before the term became mainstream locally.
Responding to the recommendation made during the lecture for the appointment of a cordinating minister to oversee the blue economy, Alao supported the idea, describing it as long overdue.
Alao emphasised the need for streamlined leadership, adding that the role of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners was to advise government, regulators, and stakeholders on the most sustainable approaches to maritime development.
“The concept of the blue economy is still not well understood by many. People view it from different angles. What this presentation has done is to provide proper insights into what it truly means and how we can move forward.
“It has taken us many years to get here. We’ve advocated for a dedicated maritime ministry, for presidential and vice-presidential attention to maritime affairs.
“If this becomes a policy directive and the Secretary to the Government accepts the framework, it will add great value to maritime operations,” Alao said.
NAN