By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has expressed his commitment to supporting capacity building and infrastructure development for students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.
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Oyetola made this known during a working visit to the university, where he was accompanied by the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arsenio Domínguez, and other senior officials.
On a related note, Oyetola emphasized the significance of building capacity for youths interested in maritime studies, citing the numerous job creation and career prospects in the marine ecosystem.
L-R: Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Domínguez; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics and Research), University of Lagos, when the IMO Secretary-General visited the Institute of Maritime Studies at the university as part of his visit to Nigeria, on Friday.
He expressed confidence that the maritime industry would soon surpass the oil and gas sector, and urged Nigerian youths to take advantage of the opportunities available in the sector.
The Minister highlighted the vast opportunities inherent in the maritime sector, noting that the federal government is committed to unlocking these opportunities through investments in infrastructure, manpower development, and international partnerships
. According to him, Nigeria’s future lies beyond oil, and the marine and blue economy is a goldmine that can drive sustainable economic growth, create millions of jobs, and position the nation as a global maritime hub.
In his address, Oyetola encouraged Nigerian youths to be bold, innovative, and diligent in pursuing careers in the maritime sector, which offers numerous opportunities in shipping, logistics, fisheries, shipbuilding, marine research, and offshore energy.
He commended UNILAG and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for their collaboration in maritime manpower development, particularly the establishment of a modern facility for the Institute of Maritime Studies.
The Federal Government’s marine and blue economy agenda is anchored on sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity, with youth engagement and capacity building central to achieving the long-term vision. Oyetola declared that Nigeria’s marine and blue economy sector is being strategically repositioned to serve as the country’s major revenue earner, replacing crude oil as the dominant source of national income.
According to the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Moberola, the agency will continue to support the university with the necessary infrastructure to promote maritime studies. The NIMASA boss reiterated the importance of collaboration between the agency and UNILAG in developing the maritime sector.
The visit also saw the IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Domínguez, call on the university management to embrace IMO courses to further knowledge about the sector.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folashade Ogunsola, commended the federal government and NIMASA for providing a three-storey building as part of efforts to promote maritime studies, noting that the university remains committed to maintaining its position as a top-class institution in Nigeria.
The collaboration between the federal government, NIMASA, and UNILAG is expected to promote research and address challenges in the maritime sector. With the minister’s assurance of support, UNILAG students can look forward to enhanced opportunities in maritime studies, and a bright future in the blue economy.
