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The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has said Special Economic Zones are playing an increasingly important role in driving Nigeria’s blue economy by attracting investments, boosting energy exports, strengthening maritime logistics and accelerating industrial growth.
The Authority said the country’s oil and gas free zones have grown beyond serving as investment destinations and are now emerging as strategic economic hubs supporting energy security, export expansion and economic diversification.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of OGFZA, Bamanga Usman Jada, stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) held at the weekend in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Jada, who was represented by his Technical Adviser on Free Zones Development, Jackson Iniobong, spoke on the theme, “The Strategic Role of OGFZA in Supporting Nigeria’s Blue Economy and Energy Exports.” He described the blue economy as the sustainable use of Nigeria’s oceans, rivers, ports and coastal resources to create jobs, expand businesses and grow the economy while protecting the environment. According to him, OGFZA’s mandate of promoting investment in oil and gas free zones fits squarely into the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda because many of the Authority’s free zones are located along Nigeria’s coastline and major maritime corridors.
“Over the years, OGFZA has contributed significantly to the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy through the establishment, regulation and promotion of Special Economic Zones strategically located around our maritime corridors,” he said.
Jada explained that the free zones have become major centres for industrial production, international trade, offshore support services, marine logistics and export-oriented manufacturing, helping Nigeria strengthen its position in the global maritime economy.
He identified the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone in Rivers State as the Authority’s flagship facility, noting that it houses one of Nigeria’s busiest seaports and serves as an operational base for several multinational companies involved in oil and gas and maritime activities.
He also highlighted the Bestaf Maritime Industrial Oil and Gas Free Zone in Lagos State, which operates an indigenous lubricant blending plant with an annual production capacity of 240 million litres for both local and export markets.
Jada further pointed to the Dangote Industries Oil and Gas Free Zone in Lekki as another major milestone in Nigeria’s industrial development.
According to him, the zone hosts the 700,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery—the largest refinery in Africa—which has strengthened Nigeria’s refining capacity and increased the country’s energy export potential.
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“These developments have expanded the significance of OGFZA-regulated free zones into becoming Energy Economic Zones that are enhancing national energy security, industrialisation, and maritime logistics infrastructure and safety,” he said.
The OGFZA boss said the Authority also regulates the Secured Bunkering Anchorage, an offshore facility that supports safe maritime operations and facilitates energy exports.
He added that OGFZA-regulated free zones have attracted significant local and foreign investments, created thousands of jobs and promoted technology transfer to Nigerian businesses.
Jada said the Authority’s One-Stop-Shop initiative had simplified licensing processes, improved Customs clearance procedures and enhanced collaboration with relevant government agencies, making it easier for investors to establish and operate businesses in the free zones.
According to him, the reforms have improved port efficiency, reduced delays and encouraged the growth of indigenous companies in engineering, fabrication, marine support services, vessel maintenance and logistics.
He cited facilities such as the West Atlantic Shipyard as examples of how the free zones are helping to build local capacity in Nigeria’s maritime and oil and gas industries.
Looking ahead, Jada said OGFZA would continue to promote environmentally friendly industrial operations by encouraging the adoption of cleaner technologies and more efficient use of resources.
He stressed that the Authority was committed to ensuring that Special Economic Zones become centres of innovation, sustainability and industrial excellence.
The OGFZA chief reaffirmed the Authority’s support for the Federal Government’s drive to use Nigeria’s vast maritime resources to diversify the economy, attract quality investments, create employment opportunities and strengthen the country’s position as a leading investment destination in Africa.
He added that greater collaboration among government agencies, investors and industry operators would be critical to unlocking the full economic potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.
