The Federal Government has commenced a comprehensive study of Lagos State’s successful blue economy initiatives, with a view to replicating its innovative and sustainable model across the nation. A delegation from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, is currently on a week-long study tour in Lagos to gather insights for a national development blueprint.

The 14-member Senior Executive Course (SEC 57) team from NIPSS is tasked with researching critical national issues, with this year’s focus on diversifying Nigeria’s economy beyond its traditional reliance on oil. The Federal Government views the blue economy – encompassing maritime, aquatic resources, and coastal development – as “the new gold” for expanding the nation’s revenue base.

Welcoming the delegation at the opening ceremony of the study tour in Ikeja on Monday, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, underscored Lagos’ leading role in harnessing its vast marine potential. She highlighted the state’s over 180 kilometers of coastline, extensive lagoons, and creeks as integral to its economic and strategic future.

“Under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Agenda, we have taken bold and practical steps to harness the potential of the Blue Economy in a manner that is inclusive, innovative, and sustainable,” Mrs. Salu-Hundeyin stated.

Among the key initiatives Lagos is showcasing for the Federal Government’s understudy are:

• The Lekki Deep Sea Port: Inaugurated in 2023, this port is celebrated as West Africa’s most advanced, significantly easing congestion and positioning Lagos as a regional logistics hub.
• Enhanced Inland Waterway Transportation: Through the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the state has expanded ferry services, constructed modern jetties, strengthened marine emergency response, and introduced the ambitious “Omi-Eko” project. This initiative aims to deploy over 70 hybrid-electric ferries, upgrade jetties, and dredge 140km of waterways to serve 100,000 commuters daily, easing road congestion.
• Shoreline Protection: Significant investments in shoreline defence projects in erosion-prone areas like Lekki and Badagry to safeguard assets and communities from climate change impacts.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Active promotion of private sector investment in boat building, maritime logistics, fisheries, and waterfront infrastructure, leading to the creation of new real estate and hospitality ventures.
• Marine Waste Management: Ongoing efforts in waterway sanitation and marine waste management to reduce pollution and promote environmental sustainability.

The Acting Director of NIPSS, Nima Sama, affirmed Lagos’ indispensable status for such a study. “No meaningful study on the blue economy can be complete without Lagos. The state is the cradle of development, rich in both human and marine resources,” she remarked.

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy led by Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, has already developed a 10-year national blueprint approved by the Federal Executive Council. This blueprint aims to attract private sector investment into port upgrades, maritime security, aquaculture, inland waterways, ocean governance, and coastal tourism, aspiring to transform Nigeria into Africa’s leading maritime hub.

The NIPSS delegation’s findings from the Lagos tour will contribute to a comprehensive report, providing actionable recommendations to guide national policy and accelerate Nigeria’s economic diversification and sustainable development through its vast blue economy resources.