Delta Advances Blue Economy Push with Plan to Establish Marine Ministry

The Delta State Government has announced that it is taking strategic steps to establish a dedicated Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as part of a broader drive to harness the state’s vast coastal resources and accelerate economic growth.

The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, disclosed this while speaking with journalists at the Blue Economy Investment Summit 2026, themed “Shifting Gears: Heading to a New Frontier in Maritime Economy,” held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre on Thursday.

Onyeme explained that the state has already laid the groundwork for its blue economy agenda through the creation of critical institutional structures, including a steering committee responsible for policy formulation and strategic direction, as well as a technical committee tasked with driving implementation.

“We have been able to establish the full blue economy steering committee and the technical committee. While the steering committee focuses on fine-tuning policies, the technical committee is working through the broader stages of implementation, particularly in identifying priority areas,” Onyeme said.

He noted that the state government is aligning its initiatives with federal efforts, especially following the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He revealed that Delta intends to mirror this structure at the state level to fully harness opportunities within the sector.

“Delta State intends to work along with the Federal Government. With the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, we are also working towards establishing our own ministry because we have a lot to offer,” Onyeme stated.

The deputy governor highlighted the state’s geographical advantage, pointing out that Delta boasts one of the longest coastlines among Nigeria’s coastal states, positioning it as a major player in maritime and blue economy development. He added that the state is targeting investments in critical areas including marine tourism infrastructure, port development, renewable energy, fisheries, real estate, and environmental services.

He acknowledged funding limitations as a key challenge, noting that the government is carefully prioritizing investment areas within the vast blue economy space. “The blue economy is very wide. We are looking at which aspects to tackle first because we cannot implement everything at the same time due to funding limitations,” he said.

The Deputy Governor expressed optimism that the summit would serve as a catalyst for attracting investors and accelerating development efforts in the state. While he did not provide a specific timeline, Onyeme assured that measurable progress would be achieved before the end of the current administration.

“We are hopeful that with investor interest from platforms like this summit, we can move faster. Before the end of this administration, we expect that some aspects of the blue economy will already be operational,” Onyeme added.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who was represented at the summit by his deputy, had earlier declared the state open for strategic investments and partnerships. He disclosed that 14 out of the state’s 25 local government areas are directly linked to the blue economy due to their proximity to waterways, presenting enormous opportunities in sectors such as aquaculture, marine transport, offshore energy, tourism, and logistics.

“We are ready to welcome investors and partners. Delta State is safe for investment, and we are committed to providing the necessary institutional support and a conducive business environment,” the governor stated.

The summit brought together policymakers, investors, and maritime stakeholders to explore emerging opportunities and strategies for advancing Nigeria’s blue economy sector.