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Oyetola seeks to deepen $214m Deep Blue Project for enhanced security architecture of Nigeria’ s waters

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has submitted a proposal to the Federal government, seeking its approval to deepen and expand the highly- successful multi- million dollar Deep Sea Project.
Oyetola explained that the move will further enhance the security architecture of  Nigeria’s waters and sustain the zero piracy record of Nigeria for over unbroken four years.
Making this disclosure on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026 in Abuja, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said the project is a game changer as it has ensured that Nigeria records a consecutive zero piracy incident for over four years.
Oyetola, who was playing host to the
leadership of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), revealed that the ministry has already submitted a proposal to the Federal government for approval.
He described the Deep Blue Project as world – acclaimed initiative that has not  only has impact on the security architecture on Nigeria’s waters but resonated to the Gulf of Guinea.
“The project, which integrates air, land and sea assets alongside advanced surveillance systems, has significantly improved maritime domain awareness and response capability, restoring confidence among international shipping lines and investors,” the Minister said.
He said the improved security has had far-reaching economic and social benefits, not only for Nigeria but across the Gulf of Guinea, once regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous maritime corridors.
“Safer waters have led to increased shipping traffic, reduced insurance premiums, enhanced port activity and greater regional trade flows,” he said.
Oyetola said the planned expansion would consolidate these gains, positioning Nigeria as a leader in maritime security in the West and Central African subregion while supporting broader economic growth tied to the blue economy.
On fisheries and aquaculture, Oyetola said the ministry is prioritising the sector as a key driver of food security, job creation and export earnings.
 He disclosed that efforts were underway to reactivate fishing terminals nationwide and provide support for artisanal fish farmers.
“It is no longer acceptable that Nigeria continues to spend huge foreign exchange on fish importation,” he said, adding that the government is determined to end fish imports.
He pointed to a recent increase in local fish production from 1.1 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes in 2025 — the first such rise in a decade — as evidence of progress, while stressing that more would be done to meet domestic demand and tap into export opportunities.
In a major boost for the sector, Dr. Oyetola revealed that the United States had approved Nigeria’s Turtle Excluder Device, a certification that enables Nigerian shrimp exports to access both U.S. and European markets.
He said the development “has unlocked significant foreign exchange earnings, improved the competitiveness of Nigeria’s seafood industry and created jobs along the value chain, from fishing and processing to logistics and export services.”
He assured the NESG of the ministry’s commitment to close collaboration with the private sector to drive reforms and investments across the marine and blue economy sector.
Earlier, NESG Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tayo Aduloju, commended the ministry for developing a robust National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a critical framework for unlocking the sector’s vast potential.
He noted that the policy provides a structured pathway for sustainable exploitation of marine resources, improved governance, environmental protection and increased private sector participation. According to him, effective implementation of the policy will boost GDP growth, create employment, enhance food security and position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global blue economy.
Aduloju emphasised that the marine and blue economy sector is central to the Federal Government’s agenda of job creation and poverty reduction. He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the ministry and pursuing bold economic reforms since taking office in May 2023.
The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Fatima Mahmood, alongside directors and the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Marine and Blue Economy, Professor Busayo Fakinlede, among other officials.
Founded in 1996, the NESG is Nigeria’s leading private sector-led think tank, providing a platform for public-private dialogue aimed at fostering a globally competitive, inclusive and sustainable economy.
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Analyses

The invisible toll gates:Why National Single Window is Nigeria’s ultimate economic battleground

Monday Discourse with  Ibrahim Nasiru
Walk into any market in Nigeria today, from the commercial hubs of Lagos to the roadside stalls in Yola, and ask why a bag of rice or an imported spare part costs three times what it did last year.
The typical public commentator will blame global inflation, floating currencies, or macro-economic shocks.
But those who understand logistics know the real truth lies buried under layers of paper, manual stamps, and artificial delays at our seaports.
Nigeria’s international trade is suffocating not from a lack of deep water, but from a deliberate design of convenience.
The recent operational rollout of the National Single Window (NSW) has triggered behind-the-scenes panic among Port cartels, and for good reason.
For decades, keeping our clearing processes fragmented, manual, and dependent on desk-to-desk human interaction was the perfect business model for syndicates.
When cargo dwell times drag on for 21 days, those delays are money in the pockets of the gatekeepers and a death sentence for local businesses.
Let us look at the raw field realities. The push by the Nigeria Customs Service to aggressively crash clearance times down to global 48-hour standards is meeting fierce internal resistance.
Why? Because a unified digital ecosystem means you cannot easily manipulate documentation, hide illicit cargo, or demand “mobilization fees” before signing off a container.
The outcry and protests from certain freight-forwarding syndicates aren’t about technical glitches; they are about the sudden closure of invisible toll gates.
This is exactly why governance at our national gateways can no longer be left to the mercy of transactional bureaucratic habits.
Building deep-sea infrastructure like Lekki Port is a massive physical achievement, but concrete and cranes are useless if the administrative processes at the gate remain backward.
 Real structural reform requires turning our Ports into automated, friction-free pipelines that prioritize production over rent-seeking.
If Nigeria wants to survive this fiscal squeeze, the National Single Window cannot just be treated as another glossy IT project launched in Abuja.
 It requires unyielding administrative enforcement to completely dismantle the corrupt cartels managing the manual desk chains.
The invisible toll gates at our Ports must be completely demolished, and that exact same structural discipline must be scaled across our border stations and trade corridors.
The era of managing international trade with 20th-century paper trails is dying. The future belongs to the builders of automated, transparent systems.
Chief Ibrahim Nasiru, a public affairs analyst,  writes from Abuja 
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Headlines

NANTA Exco embarks on seven-day Ghana retreat, fam trip to deepen regional tourism partnership

Gloria Odion, Reporter

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has commenced a seven-day executive retreat and familiarisation (fam) trip to Ghana, hosted by Safari World, as part of efforts to strengthen regional tourism partnerships and expand cross-border travel opportunities.

The NANTA delegation was received at Safari World Homes in Accra by the Chairman of the Safari World Group, Mr. Ernest Gyekye, who expressed delight at hosting the Nigerian travel trade leaders.

He assured the delegation of a memorable experience throughout their week-long stay.

Speaking on the significance of the visit, NANTA President, Mr. Yinka Folami, described the retreat and familiarisation tour as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering stronger business relationships and promoting collaborative tourism development across Africa.

“This mission is not a leisure trip,” Folami said. “It is a deliberate step to implement and expand our association’s marketing advocacy for Nigerian brands across borders.”

He noted that Nigeria and Ghana share deep historical, cultural and commercial ties that should be leveraged to drive tourism growth on the continent.

“Nigeria and Ghana share history, culture, trade and people. The future of our tourism cannot be built in silos,” he said.

“This retreat is about moving from policy to practice—creating real products, real partnerships and real movement of travellers between Accra and Lagos.”

As part of the programme, the NANTA executives will engage in strategic business-to-business (B2B) meetings with their Ghanaian counterparts, tour key tourism destinations under the Safari World brand, and participate in cultural exchange activities designed to promote stronger bilateral tourism cooperation.

The itinerary spans Safari World’s three flagship destinations, including Safari Homes in Accra, the Aqua Safari riverfront experience, Safari Island Cruise, Safari Nautica, and Safari Recreation and Sports facilities in Ada, as well as the Safari Valley Eco Resort and Safari Eco Park in Dawu.

Operating under the brand promise, “One World, Three Destinations, Over 20 Unique Experiences,” Safari World is leveraging the visit to strengthen its footprint in the Nigerian travel market while positioning Ghana as a premier destination for leisure tourism, conferences, group travel, family holidays and premium tourism experiences.

A major highlight of the visit will be the Executive Dinner scheduled for July 21 at the Safari Valley Eco Resort, where key stakeholders from Nigeria and Ghana’s tourism industries will deliberate on strategies for deepening travel trade and advancing regional tourism development.

The familiarisation tour is expected to provide NANTA’s leadership with first-hand knowledge of Safari World’s tourism offerings, paving the way for the development of attractive travel packages and stronger business partnerships that will benefit Nigerian travellers and the wider West African tourism industry.

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Customs

Ogun Customs spurns claims of Smugglers’ takeover of Idiroko–Sango Ota trading Route

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed as false reports alleging that smugglers had taken over the Idiroko–Sango Ota trading route in Ogun State, describing the claims as a deliberate misrepresentation of a traffic incident.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs (SC) Chado, the Command clarified that the traffic gridlock on the route resulted from the breakdown of an articulated commercial trailer after it fell into a badly deteriorated section of Atan Road, temporarily obstructing the free flow of traffic.
According to the Command, the vehicles caught in the ensuing congestion were legitimate commercial trucks transporting red palm oil to various local markets and had no connection whatsoever with smuggling activities.
It explained that the large number of heavy-duty trucks trapped in the gridlock may have led some members of the public to wrongly conclude that smugglers had taken over the road.
“The reports that smugglers blocked the road are inaccurate. The disruption resulted from a road accident and poor road conditions. The vehicles involved were lawful commercial vehicles transporting red palm oil for legitimate trade,” Chado stated.
The Command urged journalists, social media users and the general public to verify information before disseminating reports capable of creating unnecessary panic or undermining public confidence in security agencies.
Observers within the border trade sector noted that the allegation does not reflect the prevailing security situation within the Ogun I Area Command, where anti-smuggling operations have been intensified under the leadership of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Comptroller O.O. Afeni.
Since assuming office, Comptroller Afeni has strengthened intelligence-driven surveillance, enhanced collaboration with other security agencies and host communities, and sustained pressure on economic saboteurs operating along the Ogun border corridors.
These measures, according to stakeholders, have resulted in significant seizures of prohibited goods and reinforced the Command’s resolve to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and territorial integrity.
Maritime and border trade stakeholders also cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of undermining the efforts of security personnel or creating a false impression of lawlessness in border communities.
They stressed that while combating smuggling remains an ongoing responsibility, responsible and accurate reporting is equally critical to ensuring that operational achievements are not overshadowed by misinformation.
The Ogun I Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining its anti-smuggling campaign while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade in line with the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.

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