Dr Nweke Calls for Strong Public–Private Synergy to Unlock Nigeria’s Blue Economy at AMJON 2025 Conference

Nweke Advocates for Public–Private Synergy to Drive Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy Policy Implementation

At the 2025 Annual Conference of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) held in Lagos, maritime expert and Head of Research at the Sea Empowerment & Research Centre (SEREC), Chief (Dr.) Eugene Nweke, emphasized the urgent need for Public–Private Synergy (PPS) as the cornerstone for effective implementation of Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy policies.

In his keynote presentation titled “The Essentials of Public–Private Synergy for Optimal Marine and Blue Economy Policy Implementation,” Dr. Nweke said Nigeria stands at a strategic crossroads to transform its vast maritime potential into sustainable economic growth through collaborative governance, innovation, and industrial integration.

“The Blue Economy represents more than maritime trade; it’s about using ocean resources responsibly to drive economic diversification, job creation, and national prosperity,” he noted. “However, Nigeria’s contribution to the regional maritime GDP remains below 1.5 percent — a paradox that demands immediate structural reform through genuine public–private cooperation.”

Understanding Public–Private Synergy (PPS)

Dr. Nweke explained that Public–Private Synergy extends beyond traditional Public–Private Partnerships (PPP). It is a shared development framework where government, private investors, academia, and communities co-create, co-finance, and co-monitor projects under the Blue Economy framework.

According to him, “The government must provide regulatory stability and policy clarity, the private sector must infuse innovation and efficiency, while communities and academia ensure inclusiveness and sustainability.”

He stressed that PPS must rest on trust, transparency, and technology to achieve measurable results.

Unlocking Nigeria’s Untapped Blue Economy Pillars

Dr. Nweke identified five strategic pillars driving Nigeria’s Blue Economy agenda as outlined by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy:

1. Fisheries and Aquaculture:
   With an annual fish demand of 3.6 million metric tonnes and domestic production of 1.5 million tonnes, Nigeria faces a 2.1 million-tonne deficit worth over US$1 billion in imports. He urged PPPs in aquaculture and cold-chain logistics to bridge this gap and create over 500,000 jobs.
2. Shipping, Ports, and Logistics:
   Nigeria handles about 70 million metric tonnes of cargo yearly, yet suffers from inefficiencies that raise logistics costs by up to 40 percent compared to regional peers. Full automation, he said, could save the economy ₦3 trillion annually.
3. Tourism and Coastal Infrastructure:
   Less than 5% of Nigeria’s coastline is developed for marine tourism. Investments in coastal leisure and cruise facilities could generate US$3 billion yearly.
4. Energy and Marine Resources:
   Offshore gas and renewable marine energy could add US$10 billion annually if supported by sustainable PPP models.
5. Research, Data, and Governance:
   Nweke advocated for the creation of a National Maritime Data Repository (NMDR) to integrate information, enhance regulation, and support investment forecasting.

Steel, Mining, and Agriculture: Linking Industries for Growth

The maritime expert emphasized that the Blue Economy’s success relies on inter-sectoral linkages — especially with steel, mining, and agriculture.

He described Nigeria’s “scrap-to-steel circular chain” as a major opportunity for both industrial rejuvenation and environmental sustainability. According to him, this initiative could create over 200,000 jobs, supply materials for shipbuilding and port infrastructure, and reduce import dependence.

He also called for the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill, which he described as the “industrial backbone of Nigeria’s maritime transformation.” Aligning Ajaokuta with Blue Economy objectives, he said, would guarantee domestic supply of marine-grade steel, reduce input costs, and boost local manufacturing.

“A thriving steel sector is not just an industrial aspiration — it is a strategic enabler for shipping, rail, and automotive development,” Nweke added.

Essentials for Effective Public–Private Synergy

Dr. Nweke proposed several structural reforms to achieve effective synergy, including:

• Regulatory Clarity: Harmonize overlapping functions among NPA, NIMASA, NIWA, and NSC.
• Transparent PPP Oversight: Strengthen the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for faster approvals and independent monitoring.
• Fiscal Incentives: Offer tax holidays and financing guarantees for shipyards and blue infrastructure projects.
• Community Inclusion: Establish Coastal Community Development Trusts (CCDT) for local participation and employment.
• Technology and Innovation: Create Blue Innovation Hubs to connect research institutions, startups, and maritime agencies.

Digitalisation as the New Maritime Vessel

According to Nweke, digitalisation is the “new vessel of maritime trade.” He identified two critical tools — the National Single Window (NSW) and International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) — as essential for improving efficiency and transparency.

The adoption of these systems, he explained, can reduce cargo clearance times by 40 percent, save the government ₦500 billion annually, and curb under-declaration and revenue leakages.

Intermodal Transport: The Backbone of Blue Economy Operations

Dr. Nweke also underscored the importance of intermodal transport connectivity — the seamless link between seaports, rail, roads, and inland waterways — to improve export competitiveness and reduce logistics costs by up to 35 percent.

He highlighted barge operations as a vital enabler, predicting that structured barge management could generate 150,000 new jobs while decongesting Nigerian ports by 50 percent.

Case Studies and Lessons

Drawing lessons from other countries, Nweke cited:

• Mauritius, which increased its Blue Economy GDP share from 10% to 19% between 2015 and 2022 through PPPs in fisheries and tourism;
• Ghana’s Takoradi Port PPP, which attracted $350 million in private investment and doubled port throughput; and
• Nigeria’s Lekki Deep Sea Port, a $1.5 billion PPP with 200,000 projected jobs and 30% logistics cost reduction.

These examples, he said, prove that structured public–private synergy drives sustainable marine development.

Strategic Policy Recommendations

Dr. Nweke recommended six strategic pathways for Nigeria’s maritime future:

1. Establish a National Blue Economy Council (NBEC) chaired by the Vice President.
2. Make PPP the default mechanism for marine infrastructure development.
3. Enact a Blue Economy Investment Code to integrate fiscal and environmental incentives.
4. Launch the National Maritime Data Repository (NMDR).
5. Institutionalize Public–Private Blue Economy Roundtables (PBBIR) for quarterly performance reviews.
6. Integrate Ajaokuta Steel, mining, and intermodal logistics into national maritime planning.

From Policy to Prosperity

Concluding his presentation, Dr. Nweke emphasized that success in the Marine and Blue Economy will be judged not by policy documents but by industries revived, jobs created, and prosperity sustained.

“Let the public sector provide clarity, the private sector drive innovation, the media uphold transparency, and communities sustain inclusivity,” he said. “Together, we can move Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy from potential to productivity — from policy to prosperity.”

He also announced that SEREC recommends establishing a Public–Private Blue Economy Implementation Roundtable (PBBIR) to track investments, compliance, and job creation using data from ICTN and NSW systems.

At the AMJON 2025 Conference, maritime expert Dr. Eugene Nweke of SEREC called for stronger public–private synergy, digital innovation, and industrial integration to unlock Nigeria’s Blue Economy potential and drive sustainable maritime growth.