Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, asserts that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has successfully shifted the direction of Nigeria’s maritime industry through significant reforms. Speaking at the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges in Abuja, the minister emphasized the need to build upon these established institutional and regulatory improvements to foster sustainable national growth.
The event, hosted by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in partnership with the National Judicial Institute, serves as a vital forum for advancing maritime law. Oyetola highlighted that a stable judicial system is essential for protecting private investments and ensuring Nigeria reaches its goal of becoming a top maritime power in Africa. He encouraged judges to stay informed on modern challenges, such as artificial intelligence, autonomous shipping vessels, and complex decarbonization regulations, noting that the judiciary must be prepared to handle these intricate legal matters.
Highlighting recent milestones, the minister pointed to the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in 2023, the achievement of four years without piracy, and the securing of a 746 million pound sterling investment for the modernization of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. He also noted that agencies under the ministry contributed over N1.8 trillion in revenue in 2025. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, echoed these sentiments, stressing that efficient, timely, and cross-border cooperation within the legal system is critical to maintaining commercial confidence and supporting trade.
