Lagos: The President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has championed strategic investments in aquaculture, hatcheries, feed production, processing, cold-chain logistics, and export infrastructure as critical to reducing imports, conserving foreign exchange, and creating over 500,000 jobs. These initiatives aim to position Nigeria as a leading exporter of fisheries products.
According to Ghana Web, Dangote made these remarks in Lagos during the Second Quarter 2026 Citizens' and Stakeholders' Engagement of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. The event, themed 'From Policy to Action: Mobilising Sub-National Governments for Effective Implementation of Nigeria's National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy,' gathered government officials, diplomats, development partners, industry leaders, academics, and state government representatives.
In his presentation titled, 'Driving Private Sector Investment and Industrialisation in Nigeria's Marine and Blue Economy: Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth,' Dangote, represented by Managing Director of Dangote Port Operations, Simeon Omole, emphasized that strategic investment across the fisheries value chain is not just a food security challenge but an industrial and investment opportunity.
Dangote highlighted that the successful implementation of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy requires sustained private sector participation, targeting three million jobs over four years, with annual sectoral growth of seven percent and reserving half of new jobs for young people aged 18 to 35. He underscored the need for policy consistency, quality infrastructure, access to finance, and investor confidence as vital for industrial transformation.
Infrastructure-led industrialisation, value-chain development, and stronger public-private partnerships are identified as essential pillars to unlock the sector's potential. Dangote praised the Federal Government's approval of major deep seaport projects across the country, which he believes will stimulate industrial clusters and enhance Nigeria's competitiveness.
Despite increased domestic production, Nigeria still imports nearly $1 billion in fish annually due to a supply deficit. Dangote stressed that public-private partnerships should evolve beyond financing to include strategic collaborations involving government, investors, research institutions, and coastal communities.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, emphasized the importance of collaboration among federal and state governments, the private sector, and development partners to accelerate the National Policy's implementation. Oyetola highlighted the strategic framework provided by the policy to harness Nigeria's marine and coastal resources and urged sub-national governments to play a critical role in investment, job creation, and environmental sustainability.
Oyetola also noted that reforms under President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda have strengthened stakeholder engagement, attracted investment, enhanced maritime safety, and improved port competitiveness. He pointed out that ongoing port modernization and the development of new deep seaports would further position Nigeria as West Africa's preferred maritime hub.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri, commended President Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and noted Bayelsa's creation of its own ministry to drive the state's blue economy agenda. Diri outlined efforts in fish production, marine transport expansion, and development of the Agge Deep Seaport as part of the state's economic strategy.
The governor proposed pathways for coastal states to maximize blue economy opportunities, including dedicated ministries, enabling legislation, maritime domain security, data collection, and skills development.