President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has called for increased private sector investment in Nigeria’s fisheries and marine economy, saying the country has the potential to create more than 500,000 jobs, reduce fish imports, save foreign exchange, and become a major exporter of seafood products.
Dangote made the remarks during the Second Quarter 2026 Citizens’ and Stakeholders’ Engagement organised by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Lagos. The event brought together government officials, industry experts, investors, development partners, academics, diplomats, and representatives from state governments to discuss strategies for developing Nigeria’s marine sector.
Represented by the Managing Director of Dangote Port Operations, Simeon Omole, Dangote described the fisheries industry as a major investment opportunity rather than just a food security issue. He explained that strategic investments across the entire fisheries value chain would unlock enormous economic benefits for the country.
According to him, investment is needed in fish farming, hatcheries, fish feed production, seafood processing, cold-chain storage facilities, transportation, and export infrastructure. He said these investments would not only improve local fish production but also reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fish, which currently costs the country nearly $1 billion every year.
Dangote stressed that developing the fisheries sector would strengthen food security, conserve foreign exchange, encourage industrial growth, and create hundreds of thousands of jobs for Nigerians.
He also said the success of Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy depends largely on strong participation from the private sector. The policy aims to create three million jobs within its first four years, achieve annual sector growth of seven percent, and reserve at least 50 percent of new jobs for young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35.
Dangote identified three major factors needed to transform the sector. These include consistent government policies, quality infrastructure, and stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors. He explained that investor confidence and easier access to financing would also play important roles in attracting long-term investments.
He further praised the Federal Government’s approval of new deep seaport projects across different parts of Nigeria, noting that the ports would support industrial development in areas such as agro-processing, petrochemicals, shipbuilding, maritime technology, and cold-chain logistics.
According to Dangote, public-private partnerships should go beyond financial support and become long-term collaborations involving government agencies, investors, research institutions, and coastal communities. He added that modern ports, Special Economic Zones, and digital infrastructure would help attract both local and foreign investments into the marine economy.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, called for stronger cooperation between the Federal Government, state governments, development partners, and private investors. He said Nigeria has already completed the policy stage and must now focus on implementing practical projects that will deliver economic growth.
Oyetola explained that many of Nigeria’s marine resources are located within coastal states, making state governments essential partners in attracting investments, creating jobs, improving food security, and protecting the environment.
The minister added that reforms introduced under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda have improved stakeholder participation, strengthened maritime safety, attracted more investments, and increased the competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
He revealed that ongoing port modernisation projects and plans to build new deep seaports in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Lagos, and Ondo states would further establish Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in West Africa.
Oyetola also noted that improved port operations have helped Nigeria record a trade surplus consistently since 2024. He said the ministry has increased efforts to improve safety on inland waterways by distributing life jackets across the country and encouraging states to replace unsafe wooden passenger boats with safer fibre boats.
Also speaking at the event, Bayelsa State Governor Duoye Diri commended the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as an important step toward diversifying Nigeria’s economy.
He highlighted Bayelsa’s progress in the sector, including the establishment of its own Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the launch of large-scale fish production at the Bayelsa Aquaculture Village in Yenegwe. The governor said the project is already producing quality catfish fingerlings to improve food production and create employment.
Diri also revealed that Bayelsa is expanding its marine transport system while pursuing the development of the proposed Agge Deep Seaport, which is expected to become a major maritime gateway for the Niger Delta and support future economic growth.
