Nigeria’s Minister of Shipping and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for greater collaboration between citizens and the federal government to harness the vast opportunities within the country’s maritime sector.
He made the appeal during activities marking World Maritime Day 2025, which carried the theme “Our Ocean, Our Duty, Our Opportunity.”
Nigeria joined the global maritime community in commemorating the annual event.
According to a statement issued by the ministry on Tuesday, Mr Oyetola said the commemoration was designed to highlight the shared responsibility of all citizens in ensuring the sustainable use of the ocean, while safeguarding it for future generations.
“This underscores the transgenerational importance of protecting ocean resources, while recognizing the immense opportunities the oceans offer to humanity,” the statement read.
Ahead of the global event, Mr Oyetola stressed the importance of “enhanced collaboration between citizens and the Nigerian Federal Government to harness the vast opportunities presented by the Nigerian maritime domain.”
In a separate message to mark the day, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, underscored the critical role of oceans in regulating the climate, sustaining life and supporting global trade.
He cautioned that human-induced pressures, including pollution, warming, acidification and overfishing, continue to endanger marine ecosystems. He urged countries to act decisively to reduce pollution, protect biodiversity and adopt sustainable practices.
“While human activity is the cause of the damage, it is also the key to restoring the ocean, representing both a responsibility and an opportunity for a healthier and safer future,” Mr Dominguez was quoted as saying by Punch newspaper.
The World Maritime Day 2025 celebration in Nigeria is expected to convene key players from across the maritime industry. The gathering will focus on both the opportunities the oceans present and the collective duty to ensure their sustainable management.
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