The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has called on governors and leaders of the Southwest region to leverage the opportunities presented by the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway to create a vibrant marine tourism corridor that will drive regional economic transformation.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has called on governors and leaders of the Southwest region to leverage the opportunities presented by the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway to create a vibrant marine tourism corridor that will drive regional economic transformation.
Speaking at the Southwest Citizen–Government Engagement Summit held in Akure, Ondo State, on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, Oyetola described the coastal highway as a “transformative infrastructure” capable of redefining economic and social connectivity along Nigeria’s coastline.
“The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is an economic artery that connects opportunity, innovation, and prosperity,” he said in a paper titled ‘The Impact of Marine and Blue Economy on Nigeria’s Development: Focus on the Southwest Region’.
He urged leaders across the Southwest to “complement this visionary project by developing tourism infrastructure, coastal resorts, and cultural heritage attractions that will enable our communities to fully harness the economic benefits of this new coastal artery.”
Oyetola stressed that the project would serve as a major catalyst for coastal tourism, hospitality, and small and medium-scale enterprise growth, creating new economic corridors from Lagos through Ogun and Ondo States to Nigeria’s eastern seaboard.
According to him, “the Southwest stands to gain immensely from this project through job creation, increased investment, and the promotion of our rich cultural and natural assets.”
The Minister also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as “visionary leadership” in expanding Nigeria’s continental shelf by 16,300 square kilometres — an achievement that extends the nation’s maritime territory by about 20 nautical miles in some areas.
He explained that the expansion strengthens Nigeria’s sovereign rights over vast new areas of the seabed, unlocking opportunities for offshore investment, deep-sea exploration, marine research, and renewable ocean energy.
“This milestone provides the Southwest with fresh avenues for private sector participation in marine logistics, shipbuilding, and blue biotechnology, all of which will contribute to the region’s long-term prosperity,” Oyetola said.
He further called for enhanced collaboration between the Federal Government and Southwest states to deepen progress in port modernisation, maritime security, fisheries, and non-oil export development.
Oyetola also expressed concern about the growing number of waterways accidents in the country, urging state governments to phase out the use of wooden boats and enforce compulsory use of life jackets for all passengers and operators.
“The transition to fibre-reinforced boats will improve safety, promote environmental sustainability, and empower local artisans through indigenous boat-building initiatives,” he noted.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to making the blue economy a key pillar of national development, the Minister declared:
“This is our moment to build a vibrant blue economy that creates jobs, attracts investment, and celebrates the cultural and natural heritage of our coastal communities. If we harness it wisely, the sea will not divide us — it will unite and prosper us.”