Nigeria faces critical ocean governance test ahead of Kenya summit

Nigeria is positioning its "blue economy" as a new driver of national growth, but environmental experts caution that fragile coastal ecosystems, inadequate ocean governance, and the impacts of climate change could derail these ambitions. The country faces increasing pressure to align its burgeoning blue economy plans with the environmental challenges affecting millions along its coastline.

This comes ahead of the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, scheduled for June 16-18, 2026. The conference, themed "Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future," will focus on marine conservation, climate resilience, sustainable fisheries, maritime security, ocean pollution, and the future of the global blue economy. For Nigeria, the discussions are particularly relevant as they mirror ongoing issues in coastal communities from Lagos to Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom.

Since establishing the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in 2023, Nigeria's government has emphasized plans to boost investments in fisheries, shipping, coastal tourism, renewable energy, and maritime infrastructure. Minister Adegboyega Oyetola has highlighted the sector's strategic importance for trade, food security, employment, and economic competitiveness, noting that over 90 percent of Nigeria's international trade relies on maritime channels.

However, environmental experts contend that the success of Nigeria's blue economy agenda hinges on effectively addressing the escalating environmental and social pressures impacting its coastal regions. Evidence of ecological decline is apparent across the coastline, with rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and frequent flooding posing significant threats to low-income communities in Lagos. Numerous settlements have experienced substantial shoreline loss over the past decade, leading to recurrent flooding for residents.