Oyetola Urges South-West Region to Tap Lagos-Calabar Highway for Blue Economy Growth

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The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has urged leaders in the South-West region to seize the vast opportunities offered by the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway. He encouraged them to develop coastal tourism and related infrastructure to boost the region’s economy.

Speaking at the Southwest Citizen-Government Engagement Summit on November 3, in Akure, Ondo State, Oyetola described the coastal highway as a transformative project. He stated that the initiative, under President Bola Tinubu, will redefine economic and social connectivity, opening up unprecedented prospects for trade, investment, and tourism.

“The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is an economic artery that connects opportunity, innovation and prosperity,” Oyetola said in his presentation titled ‘The Impact of Marine and Blue Economy on Nigeria’s Development: Focus on the Southwest Region.’ 

“I therefore charge 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 harness the economic benefits of this new coastal artery fully.” 

The minister emphasised that the project will catalyse coastal tourism, hospitality, and small and medium-scale enterprise development, creating new economic corridors from Lagos through Ogun and Ondo to the eastern seaboard.

According to him, the southwest stands to gain immensely from the project through job creation, increased investment, and the promotion of the region’s cultural and natural assets.

Oyetola also commended Tinubu for his “visionary leadership” in expanding Nigeria’s continental shelf by 16,300 square kilometres and extending the country’s maritime territory by approximately 20 nautical miles in some areas. He noted that this achievement represents a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s sovereign rights over vast new areas of the seabed, unlocking immense economic, scientific, and environmental potential.

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He stated that the maritime expansion provides the Southwest with new opportunities for offshore investment, deep-sea exploration, marine research, and renewable ocean energy. He added that the move would attract private sector participation in marine logistics, shipbuilding and blue biotechnology, contributing to the long-term prosperity of the region.

The minister called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and Southwest states to consolidate progress in port modernisation, maritime security, fisheries and non-oil export development.

He further appealed to the state governments to address the growing number of waterway accidents by phasing out the use of wooden boats and enforcing the compulsory use of life jackets for all passengers and operators.

Oyetola maintained that the transition to fibre-reinforced boats would improve safety, promote environmental sustainability, and empower local artisans through indigenous boatbuilding initiatives. He expressed confidence that, with coordinated action and visionary leadership, the Southwest could become a model for maritime efficiency, innovation, and sustainability in Africa.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to making the blue economy a pillar of national development. “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,” he said. “If we harness it wisely, the sea will not divide us; it will unite and prosper us.”

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) And Answers

What was Minister Oyetola’s main message to South-West leaders? 

He urged them to seize the vast opportunities offered by the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway by actively developing coastal tourism, resorts, and cultural heritage attractions to boost the region’s economy.

How does the minister describe the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway? 

He describes it as a “transformative project” and an “economic artery” that connects opportunity, innovation, and prosperity, capable of redefining economic and social connectivity across Nigeria’s coastline.

What other significant development did Oyetola mention? 

He commended President Bola Tinubu for expanding Nigeria’s continental shelf by 16,300 square kilometres, which he said unlocks new opportunities for offshore investment, deep-sea exploration, and renewable ocean energy.

What safety concerns did the minister address? 

He appealed to state governments to address the growing number of waterway accidents by phasing out the use of wooden boats and strictly enforcing the compulsory use of life jackets for all passengers and operators.

Where did Minister Oyetola make these remarks? 

He was speaking at the Southwest Citizen-Government Engagement Summit held in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.