02/07/2026
Diri Urges Coastal States to Drive Nigeria's Blue Economy, Appoints Agge Seaport Transaction Adviser
The Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Douye Diri, Thursday, called on Nigeria's coastal states to take the lead in unlocking the country's vast marine and aquatic resources for sustainable economic growth, insisting that the nation's blue economy can only attain its full potential through stronger sub-national participation. The governor, who also announced the appointment of a Transaction Adviser for the proposed Agge Deep Seaport, made the call while delivering the keynote address at the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy's Second Quarter 2026 Citizens/Stakeholders' Engagement in Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, "Sub-National Leadership in Advancing Nigeria's Maritime and Blue Economy: The Bayelsa Experience and Pathways for Coastal State Development," Governor Diri said coastal states must transition from being mere spectators to active stakeholders in the maritime sector. He proposed five strategic pathways, including establishing dedicated blue economy institutions, enacting supportive legislation, strengthening coastal security, improving ocean data, and investing in maritime skills, fisheries and value chains.
The governor highlighted Bayelsa's leadership in the sector, noting that the state became the first in Nigeria to establish a full-fledged Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in 2024, following the Federal Government's creation of the ministry in 2023.
According to him, Bayelsa has become a national model for institutionalising the blue economy at the sub-national level while transforming its rich marine resources into sustainable economic assets.
Governor Diri identified the Agge Deep Seaport as one of the state's flagship projects, describing it as a strategic gateway for regional trade, logistics, industrial development, fisheries exports and economic integration within the Gulf of Guinea.
He announced the appointment of a Transaction Adviser for the project and disclosed that the initiative has advanced to the inception report stage, while expressing appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy for its continued collaboration.
The governor also revealed that the Bayelsa State Blue Economy Law is in its final stages of preparation and will provide the legal certainty needed to attract investment, protect marine ecosystems and guarantee the rights of coastal communities. He further highlighted the Bayelsa Aquaculture Village at Yenegwe, a 127-hectare facility designed as a major production, training and enterprise hub, featuring a hatchery capable of producing over three million fingerlings per cycle, 500 grow-out ponds and a fish feed mill with a daily production capacity of 20 tonnes.
Declaring the event open, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola said effective implementation of Nigeria's blue economy policy requires strong collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, the private sector and development partners.
Representing the Dangote Group, Simon Akin Omole remarked that Nigeria's blue economy would be defined by the country's collective determination to unlock its maritime potential for investment, industrialisation and shared prosperity.
The event attracted governors, lawmakers and major institutional stakeholders in Nigeria's maritime sector. Governor Diri was accompanied by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Mrs. Faith Izibenua Zibs-Godwin; Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai; Commissioner for Environment, Ben Ololo; General Manager of the Bayelsa Housing and Property Development Authority, Tonye Isenah; and former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Ndutimi Alaibe, and Director PRS in the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Wakedei Davidson Ere. Their presence underscored Bayelsa's commitment to strengthening partnerships and advancing its blue economy agenda at both the state and national levels.
