The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has convened a summit on the Blue Economy in Warri, declaring that the initiative was designed to position the city as a resource destination for blue economy industries and to drive sustainable development across coastal communities in the Niger Delta.
Speaking at the summit held on Wednesday, June 25, 2026, the monarch said the event, themed _“Harnessing Our Blue Wealth for Sustainable Growth and Shared Prosperity,”_ aims to promote sustainable blue economy development in Warri and beyond, with special focus on coastal communities, environmental protection, and inclusive economic growth within the marine and aquatic ecosystem.
Ogiame Atuwatse III said he envisioned “a resilient Niger Delta where marine and coastal resources are sustainably managed, creating lasting prosperity for communities while protecting biodiversity for future generations.”
The city of Warri has been identified as a critical hub for the Federal Government’s Blue Economy initiative due to its vast maritime assets and rich oil and gas resources.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by Mrs. Irene Imade Ideva, said the summit’s theme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. He noted that the agenda reflects the government’s determination to unlock the vast economic potential of oceans, seas, rivers and other aquatic resources as catalysts for economic diversification, job creation, food security, and sustainable development.
“Warri occupies a special place within this vision, as one of Nigeria’s foremost maritime and industrial centres,” Oyetola said. He added that the city possesses significant comparative advantages for maritime trade, fisheries, logistics, offshore support services, innovation, and blue economy investments. “The continued growth and development of Warri and the wider Niger Delta region will remain central to Nigeria’s maritime future.”
According to the minister, the Blue Economy is one of the world’s fastest-growing economic frontiers, covering maritime transport and logistics, fisheries and aquaculture, offshore services, coastal infrastructure, marine tourism, renewable energy, biotechnology, and other ocean-based industries. He stressed that Nigeria, with its extensive coastline, vast inland waterways, abundant aquatic resources, and strategic location along major international shipping routes, is well positioned to emerge as Africa’s leading Blue Economy destination.
Also speaking, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, in an address delivered by her technical adviser, Dr. Kabir Masangwa, said the summit’s goals align with President Tinubu’s agenda, which recognizes culture, tourism, and the creative economy as major pillars for economic diversification, youth empowerment, and national development.
She disclosed that the ministry is implementing strategic initiatives to transform culture and tourism into economic drivers capable of contributing significantly to national GDP, creating jobs, and strengthening Nigeria’s global image.
Musawa noted that the intersection between the Blue Economy and the Creative Economy presents enormous possibilities, including riverine tourism circuits connecting coastal communities, annual maritime cultural festivals, museums, heritage centres, water sports, cruise tourism, culinary tourism, eco-tourism, and cultural experiences built around waterways and coastal heritage.
Earlier, the chairman Warri Blue Economy Development Initiative Chief Ebiyemi Omatseye in her welcome address noted the first warri blue economy summit is a call to action and a platform to chart a sustainable path towards prosperity through the blue economy.
She called on investors ,policymakers, industry leaders and development partners to see Warri as a strategic destination for sustainable economic development.
The first Warri Blue Economy Summit convened by the Olu of Warri was attended by captains of industry, Government functionaries, amongst others.
