Following significant regulatory and technological developments that are transforming the country’s marine market, Nigeria’s manufacturing industry is calling for increased investment in the country’s blue economy.
Manufacturers claim that the time is right to unlock new industrial value along Nigeria’s extensive coastline, given that the government has approved the country’s first-ever National Marine and Blue Economy Policy and launched massive seabed mapping and digital hydrography programs.
This reinvigorated push was put forward at the 41st Annual General Meeting, Conference, and Exhibition of the Rivers/Bayelsa Branch of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), which took place in Yenagoa on November 13 and 14.
In its communiqué, the Punch reports that MAN urged immediate investment in marine-based sectors, new technology, and industrial alliances to increase the region’s position in Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts.
The call comes at a time when Nigeria’s maritime sector is recording unprecedented financial growth.
In 2024 alone, agencies under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy generated ₦850.3 billion between January and November, marking a 77.5% increase compared to 2023.
By 2025, the ministry reported revenue growth of up to 90%, with the government projecting that the sector could generate ₦2 trillion annually by 2027.
The country’s enormous natural endowment, over 853 kilometres of coastline, and a marine area of more than 200,000 square kilometres, position Nigeria as one of Africa’s most strategically placed blue-economy hubs.
A blue economy backed by policy and science
The newly approved National Marine and Blue Economy Policy is Nigeria’s first comprehensive roadmap dedicated to harnessing the economic potential of its oceans, seas, rivers, and coastal territories.
The policy aligns sustainable resource use with economic growth and outlines plans for port modernization, marine tourism expansion, aquaculture development, and environmental protection.
Manufacturers say this policy provides the regulatory clarity they have long sought.
It comes as Nigeria accelerates seabed mapping and digital charting, a critical step in unlocking maritime trade, resource planning, offshore energy, and marine safety.
The National Hydrographic Agency recently established the West Africa Regional Office & Training Centre for Electronic Navigational Charts, with Nigeria having already mapped over 85,000 square kilometres of its seabed.
According to MAN, such scientific and policy breakthroughs will drive investment confidence, reduce maritime risks, improve navigation, and open new industrial frontiers for seafood processing, shipbuilding, maritime logistics, and coastal manufacturing.
The group emphasized that the blue economy “represents a viable pathway for Nigeria’s industrialisation,” especially for coastal states like Rivers and Bayelsa.
It also urged both states to “fully develop and harness the blue economy as strategic gateways for sustainable growth.”
See here: Maximizing Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy: Strategies for Success
This includes expanding coastal industries such as seafood processing plants, ship repair yards, marine equipment manufacturing, and aquaculture farms, industries that rely heavily on the scientific data unlocked through ongoing seabed mapping.
MAN President Otunba Francis Meshioye noted that the Niger Delta’s abundant marine resources and strategic location offer immense potential for industrial expansion.
What is needed, he said, is a supportive policy framework that aligns with the new national blue economy direction.
Addressing skills and infrastructure gaps in Nigeria’s blue economy
Despite the opportunities, MAN warned of significant human-capital gaps in the Niger Delta that could slow blue-economy industrialisation if not addressed.
The association highlighted the need for deeper investment in training, maritime education, and skills development. Its collaboration with the African Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI) aims to support inclusive and sustainable growth within the sector.
Infrastructure deficits, especially in power, logistics, and transport, remain another major concern.
MAN stressed that without upgraded infrastructure, the region cannot fully benefit from the new blue economy policy or the expanding revenue streams generated by Nigeria’s maritime sector.
With a new national policy, large-scale seabed mapping, and a growing manufacturing interest, Nigeria’s blue economy is entering a transformative era. The sector is already recording unprecedented revenue growth, and its potential, estimated at over $296 billion in untapped value, could redefine Nigeria’s next phase of economic diversification.
