In an update published by The Punch, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Wasiu Eshinlokun, has made a strong appeal to sub-national administrations to domesticate the National Policy on the Marine and Blue Economy. The federal lawmaker emphasized that state-level participation is vital for unlocking billions of dollars in untapped maritime potentials.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement summit in Lagos, Eshinlokun maintained that the statutory mandate of the National Assembly goes beyond merely enacting maritime laws; it includes fostering a cohesive operational environment across all tiers of government. He stated that coastal and inland waterway states must align their local investment policies with federal frameworks to maximize economic output.
The strategic push focuses on expanding aquaculture, deep-sea shipping, port modernization, and marine biotechnology as alternative revenue pillars for state governments. By establishing synchronized legal frameworks, the country aims to attract foreign direct investments into maritime infrastructure outside traditional hubs.
The maritime policy advocacy has gained significant traction across the business community. Leadership reported that “coastal states are already setting up dedicated bureaus to key into the federal maritime master plan.” Furthermore, Tribune Online noted that “integrating sub-national entities into the blue economy framework will drastically reduce the fiscal pressure on the federation account.”
Echotitbits take: The Blue Economy represents Nigeria’s next major economic frontier, but its success hinges on seamless collaboration between federal regulators and state executives. Investors should watch for states that quickly pass enabling maritime laws, as they will likely become the primary beneficiaries of incoming port development grants.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/experts-urge-states-to-embrace-blue-economy-policy/, July 9, 2026
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