The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has urged Nigerian youths to seize the opportunities in the maritime sector to contribute significantly to the diversification efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister also encouraged youths to avoid vices that could impede their progress and instead adopt hard work, discipline, decency, and selflessness to become responsible members of society.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, assured that the Agency would continue to invest in capacity development and projects aimed at youths.
Oyetola spoke at the University of Lagos’ Employment Clinic conference on Thursday, held at Tayo Aderinokun Hall, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, where he delivered a keynote address on the vast potential of Nigeria’s blue economy and its role in youth empowerment.
The conference, themed “Blue Industry Career Insights,” was organized by the University in collaboration with Employment Clinic under the Employment Transition Programme (EETP). The event brought together key stakeholders from the marine and blue economy sector to discuss career opportunities for young Nigerians.
Oyetola emphasized the untapped potential of Nigeria’s blue economy and the crucial role young people can play in its development, urging them to explore these opportunities, pursue their passions, and contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria’s blue economy.
“As you are all aware, the certificates that you will receive from this university at the end of your programme are awarded to you on the basis of character and learning. In the order of importance, character comes before learning. It is character that opens the door to knowledge and keeps it open until you are done with your courses and a degree is awarded to you. I, therefore, urge you as youths to shun vices that could hinder your growth.
“The world is replete with persons of talents but is looking for persons of character, who are in short supply. You are, therefore, enjoined to be good ambassadors of the university and Nigeria by displaying the highest level of character anywhere you find yourself,” Oyetola said.
The Minister highlighted some of the career opportunities in the sector, including maritime shipping, shipbuilding, ports infrastructure, coastal tourism, fishing, offshore renewable energy, marine biotechnology, and more.
“The blue economy is not just about the sea; it is about the myriad of opportunities that lie within it. Our youth must be equipped with the skills and knowledge to harness these opportunities and drive Nigeria’s economic transformation.”
Oyetola also outlined several government initiatives aimed at fostering job creation in the blue economy, such as specialized training and certification programmes, international exchange programmes with maritime institutes, partnerships with private sector companies for internships and practical experience, and scholarships for students pursuing maritime studies.
Oyetola told his audience: “Your future is bright, and the maritime industry awaits your talents and ambitions. Together, we can build a prosperous and sustainable future for Nigeria.”
Welcoming the minister earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, described the event as a historic one, designed to hone the career trajectory of the undergraduates.
She thanked the minister for honouring the university’s invite, saying, “Our doors are wide open to industry partnerships for career development services for our students. The maritime sector is the second largest contributor to the country’s GDP. Therefore, as an institution, our goal is to align with the government’s mission of diversifying the economy.
“We are happy and honored to have the minister speak to us here because it is rare to have a minister speak to you. I hope you will be back to share your memories with us, using our jetty by the time we are done with the construction,” the VC added.
Also speaking at the event, the NIMASA DG stated that the Agency is working towards concluding the construction of the Institute of Maritime Studies building at the University of Lagos, which is nearly 70 percent complete.
“The Institute of Maritime Studies was established by NIMASA in universities across the six geopolitical zones of the country. They provide specialized training and research in maritime studies, addressing the needs of the maritime industry in Nigeria and beyond.
“They offer courses and programmes that cover various aspects of maritime operations, management, and technology, with key areas of focus such as maritime law, shipping management, port operations, marine engineering, and logistics,” the NIMASA DG added.
