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NBS exposes lack of depth of reforms in maritime industry as it rates sector low in contribution to Nigeria’s GDP

Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy
Funso Olojo 
The National Bureau of Statistics(NBS) has exposed the shallow depth of the reforms in the maritime industry, which according to the ratings of the agency, have not yet produced desired results to catapult the sector into its reckoning.
In his latest ranking of the contributions of various sectors to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023, the maritime sector was not captured in the data for the assessment.
The NBS, in its data analysis, only mentioned water transport, as the contributor to the country’s GDP.
In the 2023 report, the NBS noted that water transport contributed a mere N12.6 billion which was 0.01% of GDP.
In  Q2 of 2022, the maritime sector as represented by the water transport in the report, contributed a mere N2.4 billion to the GDP out of N45.5 trillion GDP for that period.
Stakeholders believed that this was a reflection of the so-called reform programmes which the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy prided itself on having initiated in the sector.
They noted that the ministry has not done enough to trigger the necessary transformation in the sector which could lead to the full exploitation of the huge potential in the industry.
The low rating of the sector by the NBS and the below-average performance of the new ministry came amidst the controversial award which was curiously given to the Ministry by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council(PEBEC) as the best-performing ministry in driving ease of doing business.
It could be recalled that on June 28th, 2024, the Special Adviser to the President on
Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, at a town hall meeting, pronounced the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as the Best Performing Ministry in the delivery of the reform activities, a claim which stakeholders have roundly condemned and faulted.
Muda Yusuf, the CEO of Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), has bemoaned the lightweight performance of the maritime industry despite its huge potential.
The former Director-General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, however, condemned the underreporting of the maritime sector by the NBS.
Some stakeholders have however attributed the non-recognition of the capacity of the sector by the NBS to the gross failure of the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Meanwhile, Dr. Yusuf, who was the lead speaker at the breakfast meeting convened by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria(MARAN) in Lagos, believed that the maritime industry has contributed far more than what was reported by the NBS.
“There is evidently a gross under-reporting of the activities of the maritime sector by the National Bureau of Statistics.
“For instance, in the Q2 GDP report, the maritime sector (water transport) was said to have contributed a mere 2.4bn Naira to the GDP out of N45.5trn GDP for the quarter.
“This is a contribution of a mere 0.01 percent. In the first quarter of 2022, the NBS recorded 0 percent contribution of the sector to GDP.
“In the GDP numbers, water transport is the only proxy closest to maritime. But maritime sector activities are beyond water transportation.” Dr Yusuf observed.
However, while delivering a paper at the breakfast meeting with the theme: Trade Facilitation and President Tinubu Economic Agenda: Matters Arising, the CPPE boss frowned at the lack of recognition of the maritime industry’s contributions to the GDP.
“As a country, we are yet to appreciate the full significance of trade and the international trade ecosystem as leverage for economic transformation.
 “This perhaps is why trade issues have not attracted the level of attention commensurate to their contribution to the economy.
 “The trade sector accounts for 16% of our GDP in 2023 which amounts to over N27 trillion.
” But this data reflects largely domestic trade – that is wholesale and retail trade.
“The contribution of international trade and the entire ecosystem is yet to be adequately captured in our GDP data.
 “This is what the maritime sector or the blue economy represents.
 “I am hoping that as the GDP is rebased, this grave shortcoming in our economic data will be corrected.
“What we have in the NBS data is water transport.
 “But the maritime sector or blue economy is beyond just water transportation.
“Water transport for instance contributed a mere N12.6 billion in 2023, which was 0.01% of GDP.
 “This certainly cannot be what the maritime sector contributed in the whole of 2023.
” And this has been the trend over the years.
“The maritime sector handles over 95% of our international merchandise trade.
 “The value of trade in 2023 was N71.9 trillion in 2023, with import accounting for N36 trillion and export accounting for another N36 trillion.
 Stakeholders have therefore tasked the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola to go beyond rhetoric but stimulate the sector to enable it to leverage the enormous resources in the industry for maximum growth.
“What impact has the new ministry made barely 11 months after its creation and the resumption of duties by Adegboyega Oyetola as the minister that will justify the pyrrhic award by PEBEC? , a concerned maritime operator queried.
Oyetola was first appointed as the Minister of Transportation on 16th August 2023 but redeployed four days later to head the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
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NIMASA opens investigation into vessels collision accident at Bonny anchorage as five crew members sustain injuries 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Administration(NIMASA) has opened a full scale investigation into the accident which occurred as a result of a collision between a container vessel, MV MAERSK VALPARAISO, and an oil tanker, MT LADY MARTINA, at the Bonny Inner Anchorage.

The accident which occurred on May 20th, 2026, has triggered a flurry of activities,  has resulted in an oil spill in the affected area.

The Deep Blue Operating Base (FOB) in Bonny received a distress call at approximately 1130 hours regarding the collision involving MV Valparaiso, a Singapore-flagged container vessel with IMO No. 9433054, and MT Lady Martina, a Nigerian-flagged oil products tanker with IMO No. 5104033.
In response, the Base immediately deployed 10 armed personnel onboard DB 214, one of the interceptor boats under the Deep Blue Project, to the scene of the incident.
Five crew members onboard MT Lady Martina sustained varying degrees of injuries and were promptly evacuated to the FOB Bonny sickbay for medical attention.

Following the collision, MT Lady Martina drifted ashore and is currently aground along the Bonny Channel, while MV Valparaiso remains grounded at the Bonny Inner Anchorage pending damage assessment and further investigation.

The management of MAERSK has officially reported the incident to the Agency.

Consequently, the Director General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, has ordered a full investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the collision.

In addition, NIMASA has established a Situation Monitoring Room to coordinate response efforts and monitor developments arising from the incident.

Dr. Mobereola, who was personally on ground in Rivers State to inaugurate the situation room,  also directed the Agency’s Marine Environment Management Department to immediately commence an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the affected area, while taking necessary steps to mitigate the impact of the Tier 1 oil sheen and protect the marine environment.

NIMASA promised to  update the public with the outcome of the investigation into the incident.

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NIMASA deepens maritime security as 492 Deep Blue personnel graduate in tactical training.

Funso OLOJO, Port Harcourt.
The Nigeria’s maritime security received a massive boost as 492 personnel of the iconic Deep Blue project have graduated from tactical trainings received across some of the best security institutions in the world.
Unveiling the graduants in their tactical attires at the Elele military barrack, Port Harcourt, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Administration( NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the occasion gave the agency a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment on its task to ensure Nigeria’s maritime domain is secured.
According to him, the 492 graduating Deep Blue personnel undergone specialized trainings conducted across several strategic training locations across the world, including Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Syria and
Nigeria.
He disclosed that the training has therefore exposed the personnel, taken from across different units of the Deep Blue project, to global best practices and international operational standards in maritime security operations.
“Today’s event is a demonstration of
operational readiness, institutional resilience and Nigeria’s determination to maintain a safe, secure and economically viable maritime environment.
“With many people are not fully aware of the level of operations and integration and technological capacity that supports these achievements.
“The Deep Blue architecture integrates two special mission aircraft equipped with advanced maritime surveillance sensors, three special mission helicopters for over-the-sea operations and surveillance, two special mission vessels for deep sea operations, eight unmanned aerial vehicles for real-time intelligence gathering, 16 fast interception boats for rapid tactical response and 15 armed coastal patrol vessels.
” The Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence Center, the C4I, serves as
the central coordination hub for military domain awareness and operational response.
“As many of you may recall, the Gulf of Guinea was once regarded as one of the most challenging military
maritime regions in the world due to incidents of piracy and robbery.
“Today, through the Deep Blue project and the collective efforts of all stakeholders, we are proud to say that Nigeria has
transformed the narrative which has resulted in zero piracy incidents since 2022.
“This has restored trust among global shipping operators, investors, and maritime stakeholders.
Mobereola expressed appreciation the Minister of Marine and Blue
Economy, Adeboyega Oyetola, for what he described as his exemplary leadership, strategic guidance, and steadfast commitment to promoting maritime security initiatives in Nigeria.
He also acknowledged the role the  Minister of Defense, General
Christopher Musa and the Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Belo
Matawale for their continued support and commitment towards strengthening national security and enhancing interagency cooperation in the maritime domain.
Mobereola commended  the Nigerian Navy, Air Force, Army, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, (DSS) and all security and intelligence agencies whose professionalism and
cooperation continue to strengthen the operational success of the Deep Blue project.
Hee made special mention of Deep Blue project technical partner HLSI, Security Systems Technologies Limited, for their invaluable support, technical expertise, commitment to capacity development, and strategic partnership in the implementation and sustainability of the Deep Blue project.
NIMASA DG also congratulated the graduating personnel  for successfully completing the important steps of their professional journey.
“This strength you have received comes with enormous responsibility as you are expected to uphold high standards of professionalism, discipline, integrity, and the discharge of your duties.
Tge event was by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola,  the  Minister of Defense, General
Christopher Musa and the Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Belo
Matawale, high military personnel from Navy, Army and Sir force.
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WHO honors NFVCB over tobacco control in entertainment industry

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has been honoured with the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General’s Special Award, African Region, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for its outstanding contributions to tobacco control advocacy and the promotion of responsible media content in Nigeria.
 The NFVCB is the only institution among the five-person African Region winners unveiled as part of the activities commemorating World No Tobacco Day.
This recognition by the DG of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, acknowledges the Board’s leadership in regulating the depiction and promotion of tobacco and nicotine products in Nigerian films, music videos, skits, and other audiovisual content, particularly those accessible to young audiences.
 The WHO Director-General’s Awards are presented annually ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31 to honour individuals and organizations across WHO’s six regions for exceptional work in advancing the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
NFVCB was recognized for its landmark 2024 regulations prohibiting the promotion, and glamourization of tobacco and nicotine products in entertainment content.
The regulations require that any necessary depiction of tobacco use in films and videos must carry health warnings, receive the highest classification rating, and be restricted to audiences aged 18 years and above.
The regulations also mandate producers to place a disclaimer and disclose any relationship with the tobacco and nicotine industry while prohibiting tobacco brand display and product placement in entertainment content.
The policy aligns with the implementation guidelines of Article 13 of the WHO FCTC on tobacco depiction in entertainment media.
With the introduction of the regulations, Nigeria became the first country in Africa and only the second globally to establish such comprehensive safeguards against the glamorization of tobacco use on screen.
Research and WHO guidance have consistently shown that the portrayal of tobacco use in entertainment media normalizes smoking behaviour and increases the likelihood of tobacco uptake among young people.
Through clear regulatory standards, the Board is helping to reduce exposure to pro-tobacco imagery while promoting socially responsible storytelling within Nigeria’s creative industry.
The recognition also aligns with the 8-Point Agenda of the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, aimed at strengthening policy frameworks, promoting responsible creative content, preserving cultural values, and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s creative capital by 2030.
Speaking on the recognition, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NFVCB, Dr.Shaibu Husseini, described the award as a validation of the Board’s efforts toward promoting responsible storytelling and safeguarding public interest through effective content regulation.
“This award is a validation of the work we have done with the Nigerian creative industry to promote responsible storytelling.
“The goal has never been to censor art, but to ensure that our films do not inadvertently market products that are harmful to public health,” he stated.
 Dr. Husseini reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote healthy societal values, protect children and vulnerable audiences, and strengthen the positive influence of Nigeria’s entertainment industry globally.
The ED also expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, filmmakers, producers, and advocacy partners, especially Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), National Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), for their collaboration in advancing the policy.
The Board stated that it would continue to strengthen enforcement of the regulations, expand public education and stakeholder engagement, and deepen collaboration with WHO, the WHO FCTC Secretariat, and relevant stakeholders in promoting responsible entertainment content and public health protection.
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