The Director-General of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Dr. Pius Akutah, has said Nigeria’s marine and blue economy can become a major driver of the country’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
Akutah made the remarks in London after receiving a Sustainability Award for Investment and Economic Development at the Nigeria Conversation on Trade and Investment London 2026, organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, Nigerian Branch.
The award recognised his contributions to investment promotion and economic development in Nigeria.
The recognition came shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assented to the NPERA Act 2026.
Speaking at the event, themed “Towards Sustainable Economic and Industrial Development in Nigeria – Prospects and Opportunities”, Akutah said the marine and blue economy offered huge opportunities for investment, job creation and economic growth.
He said Nigeria could achieve significant progress towards the $1 trillion economic target if the opportunities in the sector were properly developed and supported with the right infrastructure and policies.
According to him, the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, alongside ongoing efforts to upgrade port infrastructure, shows the Federal Government’s determination to reduce the country’s dependence on oil and gas.
Akutah identified ports, inland waterways, fisheries, shipbuilding and repairs, renewable energy and other maritime activities as areas with strong potential to attract both local and foreign investment.
He also called for greater attention to Nigeria’s inland waterways, noting that only about 3,000 kilometres of the estimated 10,000 kilometres of waterways are currently navigable.
“Dredging the River Niger and developing navigable channels could open up significant investment opportunities while reducing the cost of logistics and facilitating the movement of goods into the hinterland”, he said.
The NPERA boss further stressed the need to align Nigeria’s trade policies with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and strengthen logistics infrastructure to enable the country to benefit more from regional trade.
He said Nigeria’s large consumer market remained a major attraction for investors, adding that the country’s strategic position and maritime assets provided an advantage in the African market.
Akutah noted that Nigeria has some of the continent’s major seaports, although many of the facilities are ageing.
He said ongoing efforts to modernise the ports would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to handle trade and create new opportunities for investors.
The NPERA Director General said a modern and efficient maritime sector would not only improve the country’s trade capacity but also support job creation, lower logistics costs and stimulate wider economic activity.
He expressed optimism that sustained investment in the marine and blue economy would position the sector as a key pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy and contribute significantly to the $1 trillion economic target.
The London event attracted government officials, business leaders and other stakeholders who discussed opportunities for sustainable economic and industrial development in Nigeria.
Among the dignitaries were Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, represented by his Special Assistant on Economic Matters, Mr. Sanni Ozomata; the First Lady of Kwara State, Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq; Mr. Chimaobi Madukwe of BUA Group; and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi.
The Sustainability Award added to the growing recognition of efforts to position Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy as a catalyst for investment, trade and sustainable economic development.