By Philip Nwosu
President Bola Tinubu has significantly enhanced the operational capacity of the Nigerian Navy by commissioning three new ships and two helicopters. This move aims to bolster the Navy’s efforts in policing the nation’s waterways, combating criminals, and curbing oil theft.
The commissioning ceremony was a highlight of the Nigerian Navy’s 68th anniversary celebrations. President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, also inaugurated the International Maritime Exercise, featuring participation from 17 ships.
In his address, Vice President Shettima emphasised the economic potential of Nigeria’s blue economy. He noted that the global blue economy is currently valued at over $1.5 trillion annually, with projections suggesting it could reach $15.5 trillion by 2050. He cited the “Africa Blue Economy Strategy,” which estimates that the continent’s blue economy generates nearly $300 billion, supporting 49 million jobs. By 2030, this figure is expected to rise to $405 billion.
President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian Navy in fulfilling its statutory duties. He pledged to back regional and international collaborations to create a conducive environment for Africa’s blue economy to thrive. Tinubu also praised Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla and his team for their efforts in combating crude oil theft, which has led to increased oil production levels in the country.
Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ogalla addressed the ongoing maritime threats that could impede the potential of nations’ blue economies. He stressed that these transnational threats require international collaboration to mitigate, highlighting the importance of the International Maritime Conference.
The conference’s theme, “Promoting the Blue Economy in Africa through International Cooperation on Maritime Security,” aims to foster collective strategies to address Africa’s maritime security challenges.
This initiative underscores Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing maritime security and capitalising on the economic opportunities presented by the blue economy.