Exploring New Horizons: Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Engages in Talks with Brazil and Saudi Arabia to Establish Coast Guards
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has recently engaged in a series of bilateral discussions with key representatives from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Brazil and Jamaica. The primary objective of these discussions was to convey Nigeria’s strong interest in collaborating with these nations to establish coast guards aimed at safeguarding the country’s maritime space and waterways.
In addition to these meetings, Oyetola also participated in bilateral dialogues with delegates from Greece, Qatar, and Mexico as part of the 33rd General Assembly session of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London, United Kingdom.
During his meeting with Adm José Augusto V. da Cunha de Menezes, the Brazilian Chief of the Navy’s General Staff, Oyetola expressed Nigeria’s desire to learn from the operational framework of the Brazilian coast guards. This aligns with the ministry’s strategic plan to establish a well-functioning coast guard that will further enhance the security of Nigeria’s maritime space and waterways.
Oyetola shed light on Nigeria’s focus on various sectors including marine renewable energy, marine mining, subsea cabling and piping, marine genetics, and biotechnology as part of efforts to bolster the marine and blue economy. He emphasized the importance of technology and innovation in revolutionising the maritime sector, highlighting their role in boosting the country’s trade and investment prospects within the Marine and Blue Economy.
Moreover, the minister stressed the significance of advanced marine technologies, particularly innovations in maritime logistics and smart logistics solutions. He underscored how these advancements will significantly improve the efficiency and sustainability of maritime transport and port operations, thereby enhancing the global competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
During his interactions, Oyetola met with Saida Muna Tasneem, the newly elected Vice President of IMO and the Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK, as well as Saleh bin Nasser AIJasser from Saudi Arabia, who oversees the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services. These discussions culminated in an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria to formalize their collaboration and partnership in the maritime space through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This diplomatic engagement serves as a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to fostering strong international partnerships in the maritime sector, with a specific focus on enhancing security measures and embracing technological advancements to drive sustainable growth.
