Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyegaa Oyetola, has said that Nigeria has vast ocean resources that are still largely unexplored.
Speaking ahead of the planned global workshop on deep seabed billed for next week in Abuja, the minister said that the government had considered the recent extension of Nigeria’s continental shelf.
In a statement signed by the Head of Public Relations of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Osagie Edward, the minister added that the workshop, which would be hosted by the ministry in collaboration with NIMASA, was part of efforts to harness the blue economy sector for sustainable growth and development in Nigeria.
He noted that the country’s hosting of the international workshop would help build local expertise by equipping policymakers and industry professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage deep-sea resources sustainably.
According to the minister, the workshop will offer hands-on training for Nigerian researchers and stakeholders, allowing them to engage directly with international experts and advanced technologies.
“Nigeria has vast ocean resources that are still largely unexplored and we have considered the recent extension of Nigeria’s continental shelf. I hope this workshop will provide a platform to launch the machinery to tap into these resources sustainably, balancing economic growth with environmental protection,” he said.
Oyetola explained that the seminar will provide an opportunity for professionals and stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector to collaborate with the Federal Government in harnessing the resources of the seas and oceans, while also creating jobs and wealth for the country.
He stated that the deep seabed lies beyond national jurisdiction, and the mineral resources there are considered humanity’s common heritage.
The minister also maintained that the workshop would cover more than 54 per cent of the world’s oceans and present a future source of mineral resources to support an increasing global population.
“Additionally, it addresses challenges related to accessing land-based deposits and provides the rare metals necessary to drive the future renewable economy,”
“Furthermore, the deep seabed plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change, which has a devastating impact on the sustainability of oceans and their resources. It is believed that the seabed contains a significant portion of the CO2 produced by human activities, thereby helping to absorb the excess heat generated by the greenhouse effect,” he added.
It recalled that in May, the United Nations approved Nigeria’s submission, granting sovereignty over an additional 16,300 square kilometres of maritime territory.
GIK/APA